Work

The use of brain biomechanics in forensic pathology

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Recent studies on sheep brains have demonstrated the potential of biomechanical analysis in estimating time since death. This study extends the research to human tissue to assess practical forensic applicability. Brain samples from six regions of 47 cadavers were analyzed for storage (G’), loss (G’’), and complex shear moduli (G*), and these properties were correlated with post-mortem interval (PMI), age at death, sex, edema, autolysis, blood congestion, and white-to-grey matter ratio. Significant regional differences were found: the anterior deep brain had significantly lower G’ (1621 ± 599 Pa) than the frontal white matter, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum (p ≤ 0.04). G’’ and G* also varied by region, with the lowest values in the anterior deep brain (p ≤ 0.03). Biomechanical properties were influenced by age, PMI, edema, blood congestion, and tissue composition, but not by sex or autolysis. ROC analyses yielded cut-off values in the frontal grey and posterior deep brain that accurately distinguished PMIs of ≥150 and ≥250 hours, with likelihood ratios ≥6 and specificities ≥89%. Comparative analysis with ovine tissue stored at 4°C for four days showed biomechanical similarity to human tissue stored for an average of eight days, except for G’’ in the anterior deep brain (p < 0.01). In conclusion, human brain biomechanics offer valuable indicators for PMI estimation, with measurable properties influenced by anatomical region and biological factors. Fresh ovine brain tissue serves as a suitable surrogate for human samples stored up to eight days post-mortem. • Rheological properties measured in 6 brain regions from 47 human cadavers • Grey and white matter showed distinct biomechanical differences • Edema and congestion altered brain biomechanics region-specifically • PMI and age reduced stiffness; sex and autolysis had no effect • PMIs of 6 and 10 days at 4°C can be confirmed with high diagnostic accuracy

Source: Forensic Science International

DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112703

Authors: Johann Zwirner, Pavithran Devananthan, Natalia Kabaliuk, Paul D. Docherty, Benjamin Ondruschka

Institutions: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University of Otago, University of Canterbury

Language: English

Topic: Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,580