DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF IONS AS MARKERS FOR DIFFERENTIATING ANTEMORTEM FROM POSTMORTEM WOUNDS

In the present study, the diagnostic value of ions as markers for diff erentiating antemortem from postmortem wounds was investigated. To acc omplish this, skin and muscle samples were taken from antemortem and p ostmortem wounded cadavers and the contents of ions (Fe, Zn, Mg, Cu, K and Na) were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometery. Ou r results show that the concentrations of Fe in antemortem wounded ski n and muscle were significantly higher as compared with the control sk in and muscle and the K/Na ratio in antemortem wounded muscle was redu ced significantly compared to control muscle. However, the concentrati ons of Zn, Mg, Cu in antemortem wounded skin and muscle, and the K/Na ratio in antemortem wounded skin, were not significantly different fro m their controls. The concentrations of all these ions in postmortem w ounded skin and muscles were not significantly different from their co ntrols. It is indicated that the concentrations of Fe in skin and musc le and K/Na ratio in muscle are useful markers for differentiating ant emortem from postmortem wounds. However, their routine use in forensic practice needs further investigation, since there are some overlaps o f the ionic concentrations between normal and wounded skin and muscle.