TY - JOUR
T1 - Histological transformations of the dental pulp as possible indicator of post mortem interval
T2 - a pilot study
AU - Carrasco, Patricio A.
AU - Brizuela, Claudia I.
AU - Rodriguez, Ismael A.
AU - Muñoz, Samuel
AU - Godoy, Marianela E.
AU - Inostroza, Carolina
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2017/10
Y1 - 2017/10
N2 - Background The correct estimation of the post mortem interval (PMI) can be crucial on the success of a forensic investigation. Diverse methods have been used to estimate PMI, considering physical changes that occur after death, such as mortis algor, livor mortis, among others. Degradation after death of dental pulp is a complex process that has not yet been studied thoroughly. It has been described that pulp RNA degradation could be an indicator of PMI, however this study is limited to 6 days. The tooth is the hardest organ of the human body, and within is confined dental pulp. The pulp morphology is defined as a lax conjunctive tissue with great sensory innervation, abundant microcirculation and great presence of groups of cell types. Aim The aim of this study is to describe the potential use of pulp post mortem alterations to estimate PMI, using a new methodology that will allow obtainment of pulp tissue to be used for histomorphological analysis. The current study will identify potential histological indicators in dental pulp tissue to estimate PMI in time intervals of 24 h, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Materials and method This study used 26 teeth from individuals with known PMI of 24 h, 1 month, 3 months or 6 months. All samples were manipulated with the new methodology (Carrasco, P. and Inostroza C. inventors; Universidad de los Andes, assignee. Forensic identification, post mortem interval estimation and cause of death determination by recovery of dental tissue. United State patent US 61/826,558 23.05.2013) to extract pulp tissue without the destruction of the tooth. The dental pulp tissues obtained were fixed in formalin for the subsequent generation of histological sections, stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Masson's Trichrome. All sections were observed under an optical microscope using magnifications of 10× and 40×. Results The microscopic analysis of the samples showed a progressive transformation of the cellular components and fibers of dental pulp along PMI. These results allowed creating a chart of qualitative and quantitative parameters to be used on the estimation on PMI based on microscopic degradation of dental pulp. Conclusions The histological transformations of dental pulp as a function of time can be used as PMI indicators.
AB - Background The correct estimation of the post mortem interval (PMI) can be crucial on the success of a forensic investigation. Diverse methods have been used to estimate PMI, considering physical changes that occur after death, such as mortis algor, livor mortis, among others. Degradation after death of dental pulp is a complex process that has not yet been studied thoroughly. It has been described that pulp RNA degradation could be an indicator of PMI, however this study is limited to 6 days. The tooth is the hardest organ of the human body, and within is confined dental pulp. The pulp morphology is defined as a lax conjunctive tissue with great sensory innervation, abundant microcirculation and great presence of groups of cell types. Aim The aim of this study is to describe the potential use of pulp post mortem alterations to estimate PMI, using a new methodology that will allow obtainment of pulp tissue to be used for histomorphological analysis. The current study will identify potential histological indicators in dental pulp tissue to estimate PMI in time intervals of 24 h, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Materials and method This study used 26 teeth from individuals with known PMI of 24 h, 1 month, 3 months or 6 months. All samples were manipulated with the new methodology (Carrasco, P. and Inostroza C. inventors; Universidad de los Andes, assignee. Forensic identification, post mortem interval estimation and cause of death determination by recovery of dental tissue. United State patent US 61/826,558 23.05.2013) to extract pulp tissue without the destruction of the tooth. The dental pulp tissues obtained were fixed in formalin for the subsequent generation of histological sections, stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Masson's Trichrome. All sections were observed under an optical microscope using magnifications of 10× and 40×. Results The microscopic analysis of the samples showed a progressive transformation of the cellular components and fibers of dental pulp along PMI. These results allowed creating a chart of qualitative and quantitative parameters to be used on the estimation on PMI based on microscopic degradation of dental pulp. Conclusions The histological transformations of dental pulp as a function of time can be used as PMI indicators.
KW - Dental pulp
KW - Forensic dentistry
KW - Postmortem interval
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029487394&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.09.001
DO - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.09.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 28934683
AN - SCOPUS:85029487394
SN - 0379-0738
VL - 279
SP - 251
EP - 257
JO - Forensic Science International
JF - Forensic Science International
ER -