Estimation of postmortem interval using kinetic analysis of the third component of complement (C3) cleavage
Kominato, Y.; Kumada, K.; Yamazaki, K.; Misawa, S.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 34(1): 207-217
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1198 PMID: 2918280 Document Number: 333328
To estimate postmortem interval (PMI), spontaneous cleavage of the third component of complement (C3) was studied in aged blood and cadaveric blood by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Using the kinetics of C3 cleavage in vitro described as dC/dt = kC, where C is the concentration of native C3 at time t and k is a first-order rate constant, Arrhenius equation, and another equation which assumes a linear drop of body temperature after death, the percentages of C3 cleavage wee calculated. There was a significant positive correlation between the calculated percentage and the measured percentages of up to 10% in cadaveric blood. We found that the comparison between the calculated percentage of C3 cleavage for each optional postmortem interval and the measured percentage of up to 10% in cadaveric blood. We found that the comparison between the calculated percentage of C3 cleavage for each optional postmortem interval and the measured percentage of up to 10% in cadaveric leads to the estimation of PMI. This approach is one step towards the development of an accurate method for determining PMI based on C3 cleavage, that is, on a first-order reaction.