Abstract: Objective To investigate the correlation between postmortem interval (PMI) and the changes of electrical conductivity in vitreous humor in rabbits after death. Methods The changes of electrical conductivity in vitreous humor in rabbits were measured using the conductivity meter under 30 ℃ during 0-48 hours and 20 ℃ during 0-120 hours after death. Results Electrical conductivity in vitreous humor in rabbits increased gradually under 30 ℃ and 20 ℃ from 0 to 48 hours and from 0-120 hours after death. The formulae of the relationship between PMI and conductivity under 30 ℃ and 20 ℃ were obtained by statistical analysis and the correlation coefficients were 0.970 and 0.983 (both P<0.01), respectively. Conclusion The increase of electrical conductivity in vitreous humor in rabbits after death may be used as the relatively objective parameter for PMI estimation.

Key words: forensic pathology, postmortem interval, vitreous humor, electrical conductivity, conductiometry, rabbit