Estimation of post-mortem interval by evaluating autolytic changes in morphology of different white blood cells

One of the main issues faced by forensic experts in practice is estimation of time since death. Different cells of the body showed variable changes with respect to post-mortem interval. Gross, microscopic and chemical changes are evaluated from different tissues for estimation of the same. The aim of this study is to assess the post-mortem autolytic changes in morphology of white blood cells and hemogram pattern for estimation of time since death. The present study was a cross sectional one and nonrandom purposive sampling was done. The blood samples from 60 dead bodies which were brought for postmortem examination in the mortuary and preserved in <4°C temperature was taken after taking into consideration inclusion and exclusion criteria. The time since death was recorded and studied with respect to autolytic changes in WBC morphology and hemogram pattern. On microscopic examination of all the blood samples, it was found that lymphocytes appeared to be more resistant to autolytic changes after death as compared to other WBC cells. Statistically significant correlation was found in WBC and platelet count, whereas all the other variables (Granulocyte, Monocyte and Lymphocyte) showed no correlation with respect to time since death.