Precision of estimating the time since death by vitreous potassium-Comparison of 5 different equations

Jan Ortmann; Philipp Markwerth; Burkhard Madea

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.10.005

Precision of estimating the time since death by vitreous potassium-Comparison of 5 different equations

Forensic Sci Int. 2016 Dec:269:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.10.005. Epub 2016 Oct 17.

Authors

Jan Ortmann¹, Philipp Markwerth¹, Burkhard Madea²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, D-53111 Bonn, Germany.
² Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, D-53111 Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 27855300
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.10.005

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.

Keywords: Potassium; Precision of death time estimation; Vitreous humor.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Forensic Pathology
Humans
Mathematical Concepts
Postmortem Changes*
Potassium / metabolism*
Vitreous Body / metabolism*

Substances

Potassium