Archiwum Medycyny Sądowej i Kryminologii

Abstract

3/2017 vol. 67
Review paper

Vitreous humour – routine or alternative material for analysis in forensic medicine

  1. Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
  2. Biological Recognition Team, Military Center for Preventive Medicine, Wroclaw, Poland
  3. Department of Toxicological and Pharmaceutical Analyzes, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol 2017; 67 (3): 201-213
Online publish date: 2018/02/15
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Biological materials used in toxicological analyses in forensic medicine traditionally include blood, urine and vitreous humour. Forensic use of the vitreous body is mostly due to the need to assess the endogenous concentration of ethyl alcohol in the process of human body decomposition. The vitreous body is an underestimated biological material, even though its biochemical properties and anatomical location make it suitable for specific forensic toxicology tests as a reliable material for the preparation of forensic expert opinions. Based on the available literature the paper gathers information on the biochemical structure of the vitreous body, ways to secure the material after collection and its use in postmortem diagnostics. Specific applications of the vitreous humour for biochemical and toxicological tests are discussed, with a focus on its advantages and limitations in forensic medical assessment which are attributable to its biochemical properties, anatomical location and limited scientific studies on the distribution of xenobiotics in the vitreous body.
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