Abstract: Objective To compare the pathomorphologic changes between the pancreas in acute necrotizing pancreatitis(ANP) and that in acute deaths of rats(within 48 hours) so as to find the distinctions.Methods The animal models of ANP and other acute deaths(electroshock,mechanic asphyxia/strangle,and acute poisoning with tetramine) were established according to the criteria.Half-quantitative grading and image quantitative analysis methods were employed to observe the gross and microscopic changes of the pancreases.Results Three features including inflammation infiltrate,fat necrosis and calcium deposit in the ANP group were considerably different from that in other acutely died rat group(P<0.05).Conclusion Inflammation infiltrate,fat necrosis and calcium deposit are the most important pathologic features found in ANP by common light microscope,distinguishing ANP from postmortem pancreatic autolysis.

Key words: forensic pathology, acute necrotizing pancreatitis, sudden death, autolysis