Fibrinogen gamma chain analysis to estimate post mortem interval after strangulation and cut throat(An experimental study).

Background and objectives: Postmortem interval (PMI) is the time passed since death, it is a vital tool in forensic investigations. It is pivotal in judicial cases and can even either incriminate or acquit a suspect. Strangulation injuries are pathology that takes place as a result of mechanical force applied externally to the neck. Cut throat is open or penetrating injury in the neck caused by sharp objects. This work aimed to determine PMI after strangulation and cut throat using PCR analysis of fibrinogen gamma chain (FGC) in heart and lung tissues. Method: In this study, sixty albino rats were divided into three groups. Each group contains twenty rats, each group is furtherly divided to 4 subgroups according to time interval (0, 24, 48, and 72) hrs. . Heart and lung tissue were taken from each rat and prepared for measuring fibrinogen gamma chain using PCR. Results: (FGC) showed significant decrease in heart and lung tissue in all groups with lower most value in strangulation group. There was negative correlation between (FGC) and post mortem interval in heart and lung tissue in all the groups. Conclusion: measuring (FGC) by PCR in heart and lung tissue can be used in estimating post mortem interval.