Estimation of the post-mortem interval: a review

Abstract

Determination of the time of death and post-mortem interval (PMI) is a major task for Legal and Forensic Medicine, given the implications it entails. In this respect, depending on the proximity to the moment of death, this PMI estimation will be simpler or more complex. Traditionally, the estimation of the PMI has centred upon the analysis of corporeal rigidity, body temperature and the concentration of potassium within the vitreous humour. However, in recent years, innovative methodologies that facilitate an increasingly precise prediction of the PMI have been developed. Therefore, this article aims to compile and present a comprehensive overview of these PMI estimation techniques, in order to serve as a basic guide and reference point to understand the latest advances in this area, as well as to identify their limitations and to explore the potential future directions of this discipline.

Keywords: Forensic Medicine; Immunohistochemical methods; Post-mortem interval; Protein degradation; Review.