Postmortem analysis of synovial fluid and vitreous humour for determination of death interval: A comparative study

This study has been extended to compare directly the accuracy of determining death interval from biochemical parameter of synovial fluid and vitreous humour. In 154 medicolegal cases with known time of death both fluids were taken and analyzed for sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, creatinine, glucose, and urea. Both fluids showed comparable values. The study indicates that level of potassium and glucose levels in synovial fluid for determining death interval are atleast as accurate as if not more accurate than potassium and glucose levels in vitreous humour. Nevertheless determination of level of potassium in synovial fluid and vitreous humour can afford the most accurate method of determining death interval. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.