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Sauer P, Lux C, Gruber H, Verhoff MA, Ramsthaler F, Kern N, Kettner M. Detrimental effects of scene manipulations on temperature-based time since death estimation. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1991-2002. [PMID: 38772947 PMCID: PMC11306646 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03252-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
In forensic casework, time since death (TSD) estimations may play a crucial role to establish chains of events as well as for alibi assessment in homicide cases. Classical TSD estimation relies on reasonably stable ambient temperatures and a correct documentation of ambient and rectal temperatures. This constancy is in some cases disturbed by post-discovery alterations of the crime scene, e.g. opening a window. In order to develop a better understanding of this alteration-based detrimental impact on TSD estimation as well as to identify feasible recommendations for casework, the present pilot study examined ambient temperature effects of different window opening scenarios regarding various time intervals (5 to 360 min) in a furnished 10 m2 apartment during winter. In this context, in addition to the ambient temperature and thus the cooling rate of the room, re-approximation to initial room temperature, potential influences on a nomogram-based time since death estimation using a fictitious case, and the impact of the measurement height above the ground were investigated. Our data indicate a significant reduction of the mean temperature decrease rate after 15 min regardless of the remaining opening time and a correlation with the size of the respective opening surfaces. Re-approximation to initial room temperatures was observed with up to three times longer than the initial opening time. There was no evidence of a substantial advantage of temperature measurements above the level of the corpse (> 0.1 m). The limitations of the study and its applicability for forensic casework are critically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Sauer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Constantin Lux
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Hannes Gruber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Marcel A Verhoff
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Frank Ramsthaler
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Homburg/Saar, University of Saarland, Geb. 49.1, Kirrberger Straße, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Natascha Kern
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Mattias Kettner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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2
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Systematic Review on Post-Mortem Protein Alterations: Analysis of Experimental Models and Evaluation of Potential Biomarkers of Time of Death. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12061490. [PMID: 35741301 PMCID: PMC9222196 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12061490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) is a very complex issue due to numerous variables that may affect the calculation. Several authors have investigated the quantitative and qualitative variations of protein expression on post-mortem biological samples in certain time intervals, both in animals and in humans. However, the literature data are very numerous and often inhomogeneous, with different models, tissues and proteins evaluated, such that the practical application of these methods is limited to date. The aim of this paper was to offer an organic view of the state of the art about post-mortem protein alterations for the calculation of PMI through the analysis of the various experimental models proposed. The purpose was to investigate the validity of some proteins as “molecular clocks” candidates, focusing on the evidence obtained in the early, intermediate and late post-mortem interval. This study demonstrates how the study of post-mortem protein alterations may be useful for estimating the PMI, although there are still technical limits, especially in the experimental models performed on humans. We suggest a protocol to homogenize the study of future experimental models, with a view to the next concrete application of these methods also at the crime scene.
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3
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Gelderman T, Stigter E, Krap T, Amendt J, Duijst W. The time of death in Dutch court; using the Daubert criteria to evaluate methods to estimate the PMI used in court. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2021; 53:101970. [PMID: 34601451 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.101970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
When a capital crime is committed the post-mortem interval (PMI) is of particular importance in investigating a suspect's alibi in court. A forensic expert can use different methods to estimate the PMI. This research focuses on who is considered an expert in court and whether the methods used to estimate the PMI are reliable. In this study, the methods used to estimate the PMI and the experts consulted, available in Dutch jurisprudence, in the period 2010-2019 were investigated. Ninety-four judicial cases were included and multiple experts and methods of estimating the PMI were found. As part of this study, the methods that were used to estimate the PMI in court were subjected to the Daubert criteria. Of these methods, only the Henssge nomogram and entomological methods met the Daubert criteria. However, the methods are only useful when applied by the right forensic expert and in the right manner. Unfortunately, this was not always the case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Gelderman
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Erik Stigter
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Tristan Krap
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Department of Medical Biology, Section Anatomy, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Ars Cogniscendi Foundation for Legal and Forensic Medicine, Wezep, the Netherlands
| | - Jens Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wilma Duijst
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, the Netherlands; Ars Cogniscendi Foundation for Legal and Forensic Medicine, Wezep, the Netherlands
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4
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Potente S, Biermann FM. Anwendung der bedingten Wahrscheinlichkeitsverteilung auf die temperaturgestützte Todeszeitschätzung (CPD‑Methode). Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-021-00509-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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5
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Wang J, Chen G, Qian H, Shang Q, Xiao J, Liang M, Gao B, Li T, Liu X. PP2A-C may be a promising candidate for postmortem interval estimation. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:837-844. [PMID: 33409557 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02466-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Determining the postmortem interval (PMI) is an important task in forensic pathology. However, a reliable means of determining the PMI between 24 h and approximately 7 days after death has not yet been established. A previous study demonstrated that subunit A of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A-A) is a promising candidate to estimate the PMI during the first 96 h. However, more detailed work is still needed to investigate PP2A's function in PMI estimation. PP2A is a serine/threonine phosphatase consisting of three subunits (PP2A-A, PP2A-B, and PP2A-C), and its activation is reflected by Tyr-307 phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit (P-PP2A-C). In this study, we speculated that the other two subunits of PP2A and the activation of PP2A may play different roles in estimating the PMI. For this purpose, mice were euthanized and stored at different temperatures (4, 15, and 25 °C). At each temperature, the musculus vastus lateralis was collected at different time points (0, 24, 48, and 96 h) to investigate the degradation of PP2A-B, PP2A-C, and P-PP2A-C (Tyr-307). Homocysteine (Hcy) was used to establish a hyperhomocysteinemia animal model to explore the effects of plasma Hcy on PMI estimation. The data showed not only that PP2A-C was more stable than PP2A-B, but also that it was not affected by homocysteine (Hcy). These characteristics make PP2A-C a promising candidate for short-term (24 h to 48 h) PMI estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Chen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyan Qian
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Shang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Xiao
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Liang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoyao Gao
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China. .,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinshe Liu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China. .,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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Zeitgrenzen nichttemperaturbasierter Faktoren der Komplexmethode zur forensischen Todeszeitdiagnostik. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-019-0330-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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7
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A novel method for post-mortem interval estimation based on tissue nano-mechanics. Int J Legal Med 2019; 133:1133-1139. [PMID: 30919038 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02034-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Forensic estimation of post-mortem interval relies on different methods, most of which, however, have practical limitations or provide insufficient results, still lacking a gold standard method. In order to better understand the phenomenon of rigor mortis and its applicability to the post-mortem interval estimation, we decided to use atomic force microscopy, a tool often employed to measure mechanical properties of adherent cells. Thus, we surgically removed skeletal muscle samples of three forensic cases from 0 to 120 h post-mortem and quantitatively evaluate two parameters: the Young's modulus (E), which gives information about the sample stiffness, and the hysteresis (H), which estimates the contribution of viscous forces. Despite being a preliminary study, the obtained results show that the temporal behavior of E well correlates with the expected evolution of rigor mortis between 0 and 48 h post-mortem, and then monotonically decreases over time. Unfortunately, it is strongly affected by inter-individual variability. However, we found that H provides measurable data along a time-dependent curve back to the starting point, and these data measured on different subjects collapse onto a single master curve, getting rid of the inter-individual variability. Although a larger sampling should be performed to improve the result reliability, this finding is strongly suggestive that the evaluation of rigor mortis should involve the measure of the nanoscale dissipative behavior of muscular tissues.
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8
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Potente S, Kettner M, Ishikawa T. Time since death nomographs implementing the nomogram, body weight adjusted correction factors, metric and imperial measurements. Int J Legal Med 2018; 133:491-499. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1928-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Zissler A, Ehrenfellner B, Foditsch EE, Monticelli FC, Pittner S. Does altered protein metabolism interfere with postmortem degradation analysis for PMI estimation? Int J Legal Med 2018; 132:1349-1356. [PMID: 29500611 PMCID: PMC6096570 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1814-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
An accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a central aspect in forensic routine. Recently, a novel approach based on the analysis of postmortem muscle protein degradation has been proposed. However, a number of questions remain to be answered until sensible application of this method to a broad variety of forensic cases is possible. To evaluate whether altered in vivo protein metabolism interferes with postmortem degradation patterns, we conducted a comparative study. We developed a standardized animal degradation model in rats, and collected additional muscle samples from animals recovering from muscle injury and from rats with developed disuse muscle atrophy after induced spinal cord injury. All samples were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, labeling well-characterized muscle proteins. Tropomyosin was found to be stable throughout the investigated PMI and no alterations were detected in regenerating and atrophic muscles. In contrast, significant predictable postmortem changes occurred in desmin and vinculin protein band patterns. While no significant deviations from native patterns were detected in at-death samples of disuse muscle atrophy, interestingly, samples of rats recovering from muscle injury revealed additional desmin and vinculin degradation bands that did not occur in this form in any of the examined postmortem samples regardless of PMI. It remains to be investigated whether in vivo-altered metabolism influences postmortem degradation kinetics or if such muscle samples undergo postmortem degradation in a regular fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zissler
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - B Ehrenfellner
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - E E Foditsch
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - F C Monticelli
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - S Pittner
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
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10
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Post-mortem chemical excitability of the iris should not be used for forensic death time diagnosis. Int J Legal Med 2018; 132:1693-1697. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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