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International Journal of Legal Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 1/2013

01-01-2013 | Review Article

Hyperthermia and postmortem biochemical investigations

Authors: Cristian Palmiere, Patrice Mangin

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

The postmortem diagnosis of heat-related deaths presents certain difficulties. Firstly, preterminal or terminal body temperatures are often not available. Additionally, macroscopic and microscopic findings are nonspecific or inconclusive and depend on survival duration after exposure. The diagnosis of hyperthermia is therefore essentially based on scene investigation, the circumstances of death, and the reasonable exclusion of other causes of death. Immunohistochemistry and postmortem biochemical investigations have been performed by several authors in order to better circumstantiate the physiopathology of hyperthermia and provide further information to confirm or exclude a heat-related cause of death. Biochemical markers, such as electrolytes, hormones, blood proteins, enzymes, and neurotransmitters, have been analyzed in blood and other biological fluids to improve the diagnostic potential of autopsy, histology, and immunohistochemistry. The aim of this article is to present a review of the medicolegal literature pertaining to the postmortem biochemical investigations that are associated with heat-related deaths.
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Metadata
Title
Hyperthermia and postmortem biochemical investigations
Authors
Cristian Palmiere
Patrice Mangin
Publication date
01-01-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0722-6

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