Estimation of time since death from nuclei changes of bone marrow cells

Introduction: Estimation of time since death (post mortem interval) from chemical changes in the body fluids & cellular changes in the body tissues. Objective: To correlate the cellular nuclei changes those occur in the bone marrow with the respective postmortem interval. Methodology: aspirated bone marrow from sternum was stained with Leishman stain were observed under compound microscope in low power followed by high power and in oil immersion field to see the cells and cellular nuclei changes. Results: At 7 ? 9 hour postmortem interval Grade I & II nuclear changes were evident in 10 cases. At 9 ? 11 hours postmortem interval Grade II & III nuclear changes was observed in 6 cases. The nuclear changes were of grade III at 11 ? 13 and 13 ? 15 hours after postmortem in 36 cases. After 16 hours, the complete losses of nuclear debris were observed (Grade IV) which was seen in 44 cases. Conclusion: Nuclei changes in the bone marrow show time related changes which gave some indication of the postmortem interval up to 16 hours after death.