ABSTRACT

In this study, t he postmortem changes in blood celi count (leııcocyte, erytrocyte, platelet) as a result of autoly-sis and putrefaction and the relation of tlıe changes with postmortem intervaKPMI) have been researched. The research is based on blood samples taken from 10 subjects of 20-40 age group, vvithout oncological, hematological, or infectious diseases, and not placed in refrigirator after death and 40 alive subjects (Control group) with the similar crite- ria vvhich have been observed through in vitro process. With some intervals through 120 hours, sub-samples have been taken from both groups of main blood samples, and total WBC, RBC, PLT counts and differential WBC counts were performed vvith blood count device. Also, differential changes of WBC count in unit field of peripheric smears were observed simultaneoıısly.

As a result of this study, ali parameters except total RBC and platelet counts of the case group and control group and also the correlation between the groups with PMI are found significant (p<0,01). The changes of total \VBC counts and differantial counts together may be used for evaluation of PMI. Despite this, the numerical changes in RBC and platelets are not useful for PMI estimation.

Keywords: Postmortem interval, leucocyte, platelet. erytrocyte.