Abstract
The microscopic evaluation of hemorrhagic infiltrates is crucial in forensic diagnostics, but it proves challenging in corificated and mummified cadavers. In these cases, pre-treatment with rehydrating solutions is recommended, although their effects on the hemorrhagic infiltrate are not well understood. In this pilot study, we microscopically investigated the effect of two different rehydrating solutions—Sandison’s solution and fabric softener—on well-preserved human cadaveric skin samples taken from areas affected by an ecchymotic lesion, comparing them with direct fixation in formalin. Specifically, we examined the topographic distribution of the hemorrhagic infiltrate in each layer of the skin by assigning a semi-quantitative score, conducted mutual comparisons, and performed statistical analysis. Histologically, compared to direct fixation in formalin, a slight and statistically non-significant reduction in the hemorrhagic infiltrate was observed in samples pre-treated with fabric softener. On the other hand, a more pronounced and statistically significant decrease in scores was observed in samples pre-treated with Sandison’s solution. This effect is likely due to the fact that Sandison’s solution, due to its components, exerts an osmotic effect, partially inducing osmotic lysis of red blood cells. Overall, extensive areas of hemorrhagic infiltrates were preserved, although to a lesser extent, while smaller foci were markedly reduced, sometimes even disappearing. The findings suggest that Sandison’s solution has a detrimental effect on cutaneous hemorrhagic infiltrates, emphasizing the importance of being cautious and conducting dual sampling, using both formalin and a rehydrating solution, for forensic examination of mummified or corificated skin samples.
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23 January 2024
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-024-03169-4
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ST and GG equally contributed to this work. They devised the project and the main conceptual idea of the article, drafted the manuscript and performed literature research. LR collected data and elaborated the results. SA contributed to the investigation and methodology. RP contributed to the investigation and methodology, performed the statistical analysis and editing. RZ guarantor of the project, directed the study, devised the main conceptual idea of the article.
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This study was performed from data from a human cadaver. This article does not contain any studies with (living) human participants or animals performed by any of the Authors. The subject involved in this study underwent a judicial autopsy at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan in order to identify the cause of death. Data collecting, sampling, and subsequent forensic analysis were authorized by the public prosecutor. Therefore data were acquired as part of a forensic judicial investigation and in accordance to Italian Police Mortuary Regulation.
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Tambuzzi Stefano and Gentile Guendalina were co-first authors.
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Tambuzzi, S., Gentile, G., Raud, L. et al. Forensic pilot application of rehydrating solutions on human cadaveric skin: what are the effects on hemorrhagic infiltrates?. Int J Legal Med 138, 883–893 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03155-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03155-2