ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Detection of Thyroglobulin in Bloodstains as an Aid in the Diagnosis of Mechanical Asphyxia
Sato, K
Assistant professor, graduate student, and professor, Nagoya University School of Medicine,

Oya, M
Professor, Yamanashi University School of Medicine,

Yada, S
Assistant professor, graduate student, and professor, Nagoya University School of Medicine,

Katsumata, Y
Assistant professor, graduate student, and professor, Nagoya University School of Medicine,

(Received 7 April 1983; accepted 27 May 1983)

Abstract

Mechanical forces applied to the neck region are known to release certain amounts of thyroglobulin into circulation. In this experiment, an attempt was made to detect thyroglobulin in bloodstains as an aid in the diagnosis of mechanical asphyxia. Experimental bloodstains containing thyroglobulin at concentrations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 μg/mL were prepared on a sheet of filter paper. Small pieces of bloodstains, measuring approximately 2.4 cm² in area, were extracted with 0.1 mL of distilled water and the extracts were tested against an antihuman thyroglobulin serum by precipitation-electrophoresis. Bloodstains containing more than 1 μg/mL of thyroglobulin formed distinct precipitin lines for up to one month of storage, while bloodstains containing more than 5 μg/mL of thyroglobulin formed distinct precipitin lines for up to three months of storage. The present results suggest that the bloodstains can be utilized in the diagnosis of mechanical asphyxia.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, blood, thyroglobulin, bloodstains, mechanical asphyxia, throttling, strangulation

Paper ID: JFS11663J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11663J
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