title: [Estimation of postmortem interval by detecting thickness of cornea using ultrasonic method].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the postmortem changes of cornea thickness measured by ultrasonic pachymetry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: one group with intact corneal epithelium and another group without intact corneal epithelium. In the later group, the corneal epithelium of the rabbit was scraped using mechanical elimination method. The corneal thickness was monitored continuously by ultrasonic pachymetry at several postmortem interval points in rabbits of the two groups. The changes of corneal thickness and postmortem interval were explored by relative regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The thickness of the cornea showed a strong non-linear correlation with the postmortem interval in the group with intact corneal epithelium. The group with intact corneal epithelium showed the correlation coefficient 0.922 and the group without intact corneal epithelium showed the correlation coefficient 0.822, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The corneal thickness measured by ultrasonic pachymetry shows a potential value for estimating early postmortem interval. The intact corneal epithelium is a crucial factor for the measurement of cornea thickness by ultrasonic pachymetry.
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510030, China. guolil@sina.com
authors.forename: Guo-Li
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Fu-Xue
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xin-Shu
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yong-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: He
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Li-Cong
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Chuan-Chao
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography / Q000379:methods*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011817:Rabbits; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography