[Correlation between PMI and DNA degradation of costicartilage and dental pulp cells in human being].
OBJECTIVE
To probe the correlation between the postmortem interval (PMI) and the DNA degradation of costicartilage and dental pulp cells in human being after death, and to seek a new method for estimating PMI.


METHODS
The image cytometry was used to measure the DNA degradation under different ambient temperatures (30-35 degrees C, 15-20 degrees C) in 0-15 days after death.


RESULTS
The average DNA content of two kinds of tissue was degradated with the prolongation of PMI. But there was a plateau period of 0-4 days for dental pulp cells of human being in 15-20 degrees C. There was a high negative correlativity P<0.01 between the average DNA content and PMI.


CONCLUSIONS
PMI could be estimated accurately according to the DNA degradation of costicartilage and dental pulp cells in human being after death.
Long
Ren
R
Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanhua University, Hengyang 421001, China.
Wang
Wei-ping
WP
Xiong
Ping
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D002356:Cartilage / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012272:Ribs / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D004247:DNA