The changes of attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared after rat’s death under different humidity conditions

Abstract

Estimation of the time since death (post-mortem interval, PMI) is one of the most difficult problems in forensic investigations and many methods currently are utilized to estimate the PMI. The goal of this study was to investigate the changes of attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra of rat tissues from post-mortem time zero to 6 days in 40% and 80% humidity conditions. The spectra of rat tissues displayed similar change tendencies with increasing post-mortem interval in 40% and 80% humidity conditions, and the changes were more obvious in 80% humidity. Our study further confirmed that humidity was a factor affecting the estimation of PMI.

Keywords:

• Forensic science
• post-mortem interval
• attenuated total reflection
• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
• humidity