Background
The estimation of the post mortem interval (PMI) is a challenge for forensic pathologists because data emerging from
Conclusion
The different expressions and decrease immunohistochemically observed on both caspases with progressing PMI support the usefulness of the combined analysis for post mortem interval estimation.
Methods
The immunoreactivity patterns of two apoptosis mediators-Caspase 9 and Caspase 3-have been tested in order to evaluate their potential role as markers of the post mortem interval. The immunohistochemical analysis was performed on samples of skeletal and cardiac muscles obtained from rats at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 72 h after death. (3)
Results
The observed immunoreactivity patterns of both Caspase 9 and Caspase 3 showed a significant correlation with increasing post mortem interval either in skeletal or cardiac muscles, while the comparison of the immunoreactivity patterns of the two apoptotic mediators within each tissue appeared consistent with a preliminary activation of the "initiator" Caspase 9, which, in turn, subsequently activates the "executioner" Caspase 3. (4)