The role of vitreous magnesium quantification in estimating the postmortem interval.

The use of magnesium as a parameter to estimate the time of death is controversial. In 32 traumatic deaths with known postmortem intervals (PMIs), small quantities of vitreous humor (VH) were sampled repetitively every 3 h until 24 h postmortem. The bodies were kept at the constant ambient temperature of 20°C (68°F).

Estimation of the postmortem interval by analyzing potassium in the vitreous humor: could repetitive sampling enhance accuracy?

The relationship between the postmortem interval and the potassium concentration in the vitreous humor has been described by different authors. A limitation of most previous studies might be that all of the vitreous humor has been extracted in 1 sample from different subjects and that the sample was therefore inhomogeneous. In 32 traumatic deaths with known postmortem intervals, small quantities of vitreous humor have been sampled repetitively in 3-hour interval.

Could lactates in vitreous humour be used to estimate the time since death?

Vitreous humour (VH) is a useful medium for postmortem analysis. During the supravital period, anaerobic glycolysis that occurs results in the increased lactate concentration (L) in cytosol. We analysed the concentration of lactic acid in 567 samples of VH from 63 autopsy cases by a repetitive withdrawal of VH from the same corpse, while the outside temperature remained constant.