Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology

Rationale and background: Estimation of the time of death is a critical component of forensic death investigations and determining the post-mortem interval (PMI) is crucial to criminal, civil and forensic cases. Immunohistochemical markers have been used to detect myocardial ischemia/infarction. C5b-9 and Troponin C being markers for myocardial damage can be suitable markers for determination of PMI. Aim of the work: was to estimate different postmortem intervals using an immunohistochemical technique studying C5b-9 and troponin C as well as comparing their efficiency in determining the postmortem interval in different cardiac injuries. Cadavers, materials and methods: Cardiac tissue samples were obtained from 82 males and 18 females cadavers, with age ranging between 20 to 70 years, they were selected from Zeinhom morgue according to the postmortem interval, causes and circumstances of death then they were refrigerated for 4-6 hours, processed and stained by (hematoxylin and eosin stain) for light microscopic examination as well as by immuno-histochemical stain for detection of C5b-9 and troponin C. The surface area of the positive C5b-9 and troponin C immunoreactive cardiac tissue was estimated morphometricaly then data were statistically analyzed, correlated and linear regression as well as multiple regression equations were constructed for calculation of PMI

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