Differentiation of discolouration in a body by an erythrocyte membrane component, glycophorin A.
In a differential study to distinguish antemortem bruise from postmortem infiltration of haemoglobin on the skin, a component of erythrocyte membrane, glycophorin A was extracted from experimental bruise and haemoglobin infiltration lesions over set periods of time. This extraction was accomplished by utilising anti-glycophorin A serum, after which the difference between the two lesions was evaluated. The glycophorin A was recovered from the bruise lesions satisfactorily up to the ninth to twelfth days and showed good resistance to putrefaction. In contrast, no glycophorin A was detected in haemoglobin infiltration lesions taken at any time. Glycophorin A was also detectable in human vital bruises which were taken in autopsies of four hours to ten days postmortem. These results suggest that a differential diagnosis of antemortem bruise and postmortem haemoglobin infiltration is possible in advanced stages of death.
Department of Forensic Medicine, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
K
K
Kibayashi
K
K
Honjyo
T
T
Higashi
S
S
Tsunenari
D001344:Autopsy; D003116:Color; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006021:Glycophorins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*
D006021:Glycophorins; D006454:Hemoglobins