Vitreous humor endogenous compounds analysis for post-mortem forensic investigation.

Nicola Pigaiani, Anna Bertaso, Elio Franco De Palo, Federica Bortolotti, Franco Tagliaro

Journal: Forensic science international 2020;310():110235

PMID: 32169668

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Abstract

The chemical and biochemical analysis of bodily fluids after death is an important thanatochemical approach to assess the cause and time since death. Vitreous humor (VH) has been used as a biofluid for forensic purposes since the 1960s. Due to its established relevance in toxicology, a literature review highlighting the use of VH with an emphasis on endogenous compounds has not yet been undertaken. VH is a chemically complex aqueous solution of carbohydrates, proteins, electrolytes and other small molecules present in living organisms; this biofluid is useful tool for its isolated environment, preserved from bacterial contamination, decomposition, autolysis, and metabolic reactions. The post-mortem analysis of VH provides an important tool for the estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI), which can be helpful in determining the cause of death. Consequently, the present review evaluates the recent chemical and biochemical advances with particular importance on the endogenous compounds present at the time of death and their modification over time, which are valuable for the PMI prediction and to identify the cause of death.

Address: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health - Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health - Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health - Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, Italy.; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health - Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, Italy; Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.

DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110235

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MeSH Terms: Autopsy, Forensic Pathology, Humans, Illicit Drugs, Postmortem Changes, Vitreous Body