title: [Estimation of postmortem intervals by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between DNA degradeation and postmortem interval.
  
  
  METHODS
  dUTP was transferred to 3'terminal of DNA by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT), then the reminders of dUTP after experimental reaction, as indicator of quantity of DNA degradation, were detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reminders of dUTP were decreasing along with the postmortem interval.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postmortem DNA degradation may be used in postmortem interval judgment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Zi-qin
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yi-wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004253:DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011755:Pyrophosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D004253:DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase; D011755:Pyrophosphatases; C020020:dUTP pyrophosphatase