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Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 2/2013

01-03-2013 | Review Article

Postmortem biochemical investigations in hypothermia fatalities

Authors: Cristian Palmiere, Patrice Mangin

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 2/2013

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Abstract

Despite the progress made during the past several decades in forensic pathology, the possibilities for the postmortem diagnosis of hypothermia remains relatively limited. Aside from histology and immunohistochemistry, numerous authors have investigated the postmortem biochemistry of hypothermia fatalities. Several biochemical markers (e.g., glucose, electrolytes, hormones, ketone bodies, and neurotransmitters) and various biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, heart, liver, skeletal muscle as well as pericardial and cerebrospinal fluids) have been proposed as potentially useful markers to improve the insufficient diagnostic efficacy of macroscopic and microscopic findings. The aim of this article is to review the medicolegal literature covering the postmortem biochemical investigations that are associated with hypothermia cases as well as report our own research results on this topic where possible.
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Metadata
Title
Postmortem biochemical investigations in hypothermia fatalities
Authors
Cristian Palmiere
Patrice Mangin
Publication date
01-03-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0738-y

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