Determination of Time since Death from Changes in Morphology of White Blood Cells in Ranchi, Jharkhand

Determination of ‘time elapsed since death’ (TSD) is one of the important content of the postmortem report. Irreversible changes occur in the WBCs in the internal environment due to non-availability of oxygen, accumulation of carbon dioxide, pH change and accumulation of toxic products. Although the changes in morphology of white blood cells are also variable, depending on different factors like other parameters used for the purpose of determination of time since death, but it is less variable as compared to others. The study sample comprised of 150 medico-legal autopsies conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, during June 2006 to September 2007. Blood samples were collected from heart chambers and slides were prepared on spot at the time of autopsy. Slides were stained by Leishman's stain and examined under light microscope. In present study neutrophils were recognized up to 30 Hrs Lymphocytes up to 36 hrs, Eosinophils up to 20.30 hrs and monocytes up to 19.20 Hrs. In no case basophil was observed.