Postmortem Intervals in Mice Submerged in Aqueous Environments at 20°C.
Aqueous submersion can impede decay and produce decomposition stages not seen in terrestrial burials. To further understand the variances, fifty-four mice were submerged in freshwater, marine water, and a control environment at 20°C. The mice displayed sequential stages at differing rates over 6 weeks. Regression plots and comparative t-tests demonstrated that internal putrefaction, weight difference, and abdominal circumference of the aqueous environments varied significantly from the control group. The aqueous subjects did not vary significantly from each other quantitatively. The postmortem intervals were not consistent regardless of temperature or environment although a clear variance was noted between the control and the submerged groups.
Monroe County Office of the Medical Examiner, 740 East Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY, 14623.
Elizabeth N
EN
Celata
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D005618:Fresh Water; D007101:Immersion; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012623:Seawater; D013696:Temperature
aqueous decomposition; bloating; forensic science; liquefaction; mice; skin slippage