A method for estimating time since death through analysis of substances deposited on the surface of dental enamel in a body immersed in freshwater. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ishikawa, Noboru; Nakamura, Yasutaka; Kitamura, Kei; Kuroda, Hidetaka; Ono, Kaisei; Hashimoto, Masatsugu
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic and legal medicine. Volume 92(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Dental enamel -- Drowning -- Forensic odontology -- Freshwater -- Immersed body -- Time since death; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-928X

Abstract

Abstract: Estimating the elapsed time after death of a corpse immersed in freshwater is often challenging owing to body temperature changes and the degree of postmortem lividity, and the tissues used for this assessment deteriorate drastically as the postmortem period progresses. In this study, assuming a corpse was immersed in freshwater, we analyzed changes in the amount of deposits on the enamel surface of teeth since the time of immersion using an electron probe microanalyzer. We calculated a regression equation for estimating the time of immersion in water (the time after death). We considered this approach would be useful to estimate the time after death even in rotting and skeletonized corpses from which only limited information could be obtained. This study was undertaken according to a previously reported method that used a regression equation for estimating the time after death of bodies found in a seawater area. Highlights: The method for estimating the time of immersion of corpses in freshwater areas. Increased immersion time in water increases tooth surface deposits. This is an analytical method using an electron probe microanalyzer (EMPA). This method is expected to assist in estimating the elapsed time after death. For methods in seawater areas, refer to a separate article.