Improvement in estimation of time since death by albumin and potassium concentrations in vitreous humor. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Focardi, Martina; Lanzilao, Luisa; Bonari, Alessandro; Lazzeretti, Marco; Lorubbio, Maria; Ognibene, Agostino; Gualco, Barbara; Fanelli, Alessandra; Pinchi, Vilma
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 314(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Vitreous humor -- Post-mortem interval -- Potassium -- Albumin -- Regression analysis; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110393
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Aim of the present study was to evaluate new possible biomarkers in vitreous humor for the evaluation of post-mortem interval. Using a multiple regression model, a new equation to determine post-mortem interval is here presented. A further aim was to compare results from an unexpensive, easy-to-use, potentiometric method available in most biochemical laboratories with the gold standard. Abstract: The measurement of the potassium concentration (K + ) in vitreous humor (VH) has been a well-known adjunct for the estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI) since the early 1960s. For years, however, many authors have been using other biochemical markers in an attempt to improve predictions. In this paper we confirm the role of K + in the determination of the PMI adopting a linear regression model and we investigate whether other biochemical markers could improve the model through a multiple regression analysis. Additionally, the research aims to confirm the data of the analytes of interest among different techniques and instrumentations. We deemed this as an important issue because a primary concern in the literature is that automated analytical methods are often calibrated and, for the most part, validated for serum or urine analysis. Our results confirmed the well-established role of K + as well as highlighted Albumin as a novel marker to be considered for further improvement of prediction models, especially since 72 h after death.