A new method for determination of postmortem interval: citrate content of bone.

Author(s): Schwarcz HP, Agur K, Jantz LM

Publication: J Forensic Sci, 2010, Vol. 55, Page 1516-22

PubMed ID: 20681964 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of storage conditions and PMI on citrate content of bone. Forensic specimens and cadavers were buried or scattered and exposed to ambient conditions.

   Summary of Findings:

   In forensic specimens, a significant loss of citrate was found with increasing PMI. Loss of citrate in forensic specimens due to increasing PMI was not significantly altered by temperature, relative humidity, or burial depth, except when temperatures were below 0 degrees C, which inhibited citrate loss. Citrate loss was also inhibited by exposure to lime. In 2 of 3 buried cadavers, the calculated PMI based on remaining citrate in bone was within 10% of actual PMI. In the remaining cadaver, the calculated PMI was much shorter than the actual PMI, indicating inhibition of citrate loss by an unaccounted for factor.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Bone

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Autopsy
   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	Spectrophotometry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Preaquisition	Postmortem interval	5 years 6 years 8 years 17 years 556 days 1010 days 324 days
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Biospecimen location	Cranium Rib Femur
   Preaquisition	Postmortem condition(s)	Scattered or deposited Buried at Anthropological Research Facility (TN) Placed on ground at Anthropological Research Facility (TN)

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2. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of storage at room temperature in a fume hood on citrate content of bone. Prior to analysis all specimens were frozen at -20 degrees C.

   Summary of Findings:

   Storage of defleshed rib segments for up to 10 weeks in a fume hood at room temperature did not impact citrate concentrations.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Bone

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Autopsy
   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	Spectrophotometry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Time at room temperature	0 weeks 1-4 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks 10 weeks 12 weeks
   Storage	Storage conditions	In a glass jar in fume hood

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