title: Correlative analysis on the relationship between PMI and DNA degradation of cell nucleus in human different tissues.
abstract: To determining the postmortem interval (PMI) through quantitative analysis of the DNA degradation of cell nucleus in human brain and spleen by using image analysis technique (IAT). The brain and spleen tissues from 32 cadavers with known PMI were collected, subjected to cell smear every 1 h within the first 5-36 h after death, stained by Feulgen-Van's staining, Three indices reflecting DNA in brain cells (astrocytes) and splenic lymphocytes, including integral optical density (IOD), average optical density (AOD), average gray (AG) were measured by employing the mage analysis instrument. The results showed that IOD and AOD declined and AG increased with the prolongation of dead time within 5-36 h. A correlation between the PMI and gray parameters (IOD, AOD and AG) was identified and the corresponding regression equation was obtained. The parameters (IOD, AOD and AG) were proved to be effective quantitative indicators for accurate estimation of PMI within 5-36 h after death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
authors.forename: Xiji
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Fanggang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Lijiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D053836:DNA Degradation, Necrotic; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors