Journal Published Online: 01 January 1989
Volume 34, Issue 1

Comparison of Chemical Methods for Determining Postmortem Interval

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Accurate determination of postmortem interval (PMI) is a problem for the forensic thanatologist, especially in unwitnessed deaths. A number of objective chemical methods for determining PMI have been developed, the most widely used being accumulation of potassium in the vitreous humor. The authors previously have reported a chemical method for determining PMI from the predictable accumulation or clearance of the dopaminergic metabolite 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) in the putamen of the brain.

They have extended their previous study to compare directly the accuracy of determining PMI from the level of 3-MT in putamen with the level of potassium in vitreous humor. The data indicate that 3-MT is at least as accurate as, if not more accurate than, potassium accumulation in vitreous humor, although 3-MT levels can be affected by the cause of death and drugs present at the time of death. Nevertheless, determination of both the 3-MT and potassium levels can afford the most accurate method of determining PMI; preliminary nomograms for determining PMI from both variables are presented.

Author Information

Larry Sparks, D
Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Program, Justice Cabinet, Lexington, KY
Oeltgen, PR
Chemistry Section, Pathology Service, Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center, Lexington, KY
Kryscio, RJ
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Hunsaker, JC
Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Program, Justice Cabinet, Lexington, KY
Pages: 10
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS12622J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12622J