Scholarlink

Background <p>Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) in drowning cases is an indispensable yet challenging task in forensic examinations. Traditional soft tissue markers often decompose rapidly in aquatic environments, making accurate PMI estimation difficult. However, teeth offer a unique advantage which is exceptional resistance to environmental degradation, microbial invasion, and physical damage. Being enclosed within hard enamel, protected dental pulp remains, allowing forensic experts to analyse biochemical, histological, and molecular changes over time. Thus, teeth provide valuable biological evidence under these conditions This study sought to estimate the post-mortem interval by measuring and correlating seawater elements (Na, Ca, Cl, etc.) deposited on human enamel over a three-month submersion period. The teeth samples were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive X‑ray Spectroscopy (EDX) to assess elemental changes after three months of seawater submersion.</p> Results <p>The findings represent preliminary experimental evidence. Elemental deposition demonstrates an association with submersion time under controlled conditions.</p> Conclusion <p>Additional research is required to assess how aquatic variables such as temperature, salinity, and microbial activity influence PMI estimation from submerged dental enamel.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Estimation of postmortem interval by quantification of chemical elements deposited on human teeth enamel submersed in seawater

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月21日

查看全文
  • Asmaa Hafez,
  • Amany Emam,
  • Walaa Tawfik,
  • Noha Diab

摘要

Background

Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) in drowning cases is an indispensable yet challenging task in forensic examinations. Traditional soft tissue markers often decompose rapidly in aquatic environments, making accurate PMI estimation difficult. However, teeth offer a unique advantage which is exceptional resistance to environmental degradation, microbial invasion, and physical damage. Being enclosed within hard enamel, protected dental pulp remains, allowing forensic experts to analyse biochemical, histological, and molecular changes over time. Thus, teeth provide valuable biological evidence under these conditions This study sought to estimate the post-mortem interval by measuring and correlating seawater elements (Na, Ca, Cl, etc.) deposited on human enamel over a three-month submersion period. The teeth samples were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive X‑ray Spectroscopy (EDX) to assess elemental changes after three months of seawater submersion.

Results

The findings represent preliminary experimental evidence. Elemental deposition demonstrates an association with submersion time under controlled conditions.

Conclusion

Additional research is required to assess how aquatic variables such as temperature, salinity, and microbial activity influence PMI estimation from submerged dental enamel.