title: Precision of estimating the time since death by vitreous potassium-Comparison of 5 different equations.
abstract: The precision of death time estimation by vitreous potassium using 5 different formulas is compared on a random sample of 600 cases. Mean differences, standard deviations and 95% limits of confidence between real and extrapolated time since death were calculated. The best results were obtained using equations with "mean" slopes of about 0,17 or 0,19mmol/l per hour. Equations with a steeper or flatter slope reveal already great mean deviations between real and extrapolated time since death and do not allow a reliable death time estimation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, D-53111 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, D-53111 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Markwerth
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, D-53111 Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: b.madea@uni-bonn.de.
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Madea
mesh_terms: D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D055641:Mathematical Concepts; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium
keywords: Potassium; Precision of death time estimation; Vitreous humor