Before or after death?Existing forensic Belonging to courts of justice. forensic 1) adj. from Latin forensis for "belonging to the forum," ancient Rome's site for public debate, and currently meaning pertaining to the courts. techniques are limited in their ability to determine exactly when a stab wound was inflicted. However, Manfred Oehmichen and colleagues from the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel may have found a new technique that will make this task easier. They counted mast cells Mast cells A type of immune system cell that is found in the lining of the nasal passages and eyelids, displays a type of antibody called immunoglobulin type E (IgE) on its cell surface, and participates in the allergic response by releasing histamine from in and around the edges of the wounds of 64 stab victims. After releasing their woundhealing granules Granules Small packets of reactive chemicals stored within cells. Mentioned in: Allergic Rhinitis, Allergies , mast cells lose the ability to make the enzyme chloroacetate esterase esterase /es·ter·ase/ (es´ter-as) any enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of an ester into its alcohol and acid. es·ter·ase n. Any of various enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of an ester. and no longer show up when exposed to a dye that reacts with the enzyme. The team found that fewer enzyme-positive mast cells showed up in the wounds of people stabbed to death than in neighbouring undamaged skin. However, when the team stabbed cadavers, the number of these cells was the same everywhere. Oehmichen says that if the person were alive when stabbed there would be a reduction in mast cells. New Scientist 2009; 11 July: 17. |
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