Postmortem Autolytic Changes in Oral Mucosa: Histological Review

Following death various changes occur in the human body known as postmortem changes. These postmortem changes begin at molecular level which can be noted microscopically and finally grossly. Postmortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed since death. Estimation of time since death is still a difficult task even for an experienced forensic pathologist. Gross changes within human body which occur following death during the postmortem interval have been routinely used to estimate the time of death considering different conditions. However, histological changes of skin and oral mucosa which occur during the postmortem interval have occasionally been used to estimate the time of death under different conditions.

This study is done to study the histological features of decomposition at cellular level in postmortem oral mucosal tissue, skin and its appendages.

Electronic and hard data is searched and studied to understand the postmortem changes of oral mucosal tissue and skin and its appendages. (regarding cases studied number have placed in discussion).

Studies conducted for morphological changes of skin and its appendages showed focal dermal-epidermal separation, eccrine duct necrosis, and dermal degeneration. Oral mucosal different cellular changes like homogenization and eosinopilia, cytoplasmic and nuclear vacuolation, chromatin clumping, pyknosis of nuclei was noted at different time intervals.

PMI determination is essential for narrowing the fields of suspects or possible missing persons. Histological examination of oral mucosa may be helpful in establishing the Postmortem interval more precisely. PMI determination is essential for narrowing the fields of suspects or possible missing persons.