title: DNA degradation within mouse brain and dental pulp cells 72 hours postmortem.
abstract: In this study, we sought to elucidate the process of DNA degradation in brain and dental pulp cells of mice, within postmortem 0-72 hours, by using the single cell gel electrophoresis assay and professional comet image analysis and processing techniques. The frequency of comet-like cells, the percentage of tail DNA, tail length, tail moment, Olive moment and tail area increased in tandem with increasing postmortem interval. In contrast, the head radius, the percentage of head DNA and head area showed a decreasing trend. Linear regression analysis revealed a high correlation between these parameters and the postmortem interval. The findings suggest that the single cell gel electrophoresis assay is a quick and sensitive method to detect DNA degradation in brain and dental pulp cells, providing an objective and accurate new way to estimate postmortem interval.
authors: School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China ; School of Forensic Medicine, China Criminal Police University, Shenyang 110035, Liaoning Province, China.
authors: Jilong
authors: J
authors: Zheng
authors: Department of Chemistry, China Medical University School of Basic Medicine, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors: Xiaona
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: North Railway Police Station, Shenyang Public Security Bureau, Shenyang 110013, Liaoning Province, China.
authors: Di
authors: D
authors: Shan
authors: Department of Police Dog Technology, China Criminal Police University, Shenyang 110035, Liaoning Province, China.
authors: Han
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors: Dawei
authors: D
authors: Guan
keywords: DNA degradation; brain; dental pulp; postmortem interval; single cell gel electrophoresis