Which of the postmortem principles following best explains the finding of a blood glucose of 15 mg/dL at the time of an autopsy performed 24 hours after death?
a. Decomposition
b. Glycolysis
c. Redistribution
Postmortem blood glucose is often very low as glycolysis continues after death causing levels of blood glucose to be very low in postmortem samples. A vitreous glucose that is significantly elevated at the time of death is unusual and may indicate a normal or elevated glucose at the time of death.
Submitted by Rama Rao MD on behalf of the Forensics Section
Which of the postmortem principles following best explains the finding of a blood glucose of 15 mg/dL at the time of an autopsy performed 24 hours after death? Decomposition Glycolysis Redistribution