Postmortem chemistry update part I.

Patrice Mangin, Cristian Palmiere

Journal: International journal of legal medicine 2012;126(2):187-98

PMID: 21947676

Abstract

Postmortem chemistry is becoming increasingly essential in the forensic pathology routine and considerable progress has been made over the past years. Biochemical analyses of vitreous humor, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine may provide significant information in determining the cause of death or in elucidating forensic cases. Postmortem chemistry may essentially contribute in the determination of the cause of death when the pathophysiological changes involved in the death process cannot be detected by morphological methods (e.g. diabetes mellitus, alcoholic ketoacidosis and electrolytic disorders). It can also provide significant information and useful support in other forensic situations, including anaphylaxis, hypothermia, sepsis and hormonal disturbances. In this article, we present a review of the literature that covers this vast topic and we report the results of our observations. We have focused our attention on glucose metabolism, renal function and electrolytic disorders.

Address: University Centre of Legal Medicine, Lausanne-Geneva, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1007/s00414-011-0625-y

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https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0625-y

MeSH Terms: Biomarkers, Bodily Secretions, Body Fluids, C-Peptide, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Electrolytes, Forensic Pathology, Fructosamine, Glucose, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Hyperglycemia, Insulin, Ketone Bodies, Kidney Function Tests, Postmortem Changes