Metabolomics is an interdisciplinary subject that rose in the post-genomic era, which focuses on quantitative study of the response of living organisms to outside stimulation and pathophysiological changes, as well as multiple dynamic response of the level of in vivo metabolites caused by genetic mutation. It is extensively used in basic research of system biology, materia medica, clinical medicine, etc. In the forensic field, metabolomics mainly focuses on forensic toxicology, but with the generalization of certain techniques, it's foreseeable that metabolomics has a broad research prospect in forensic pathology. This article summarizes the major analysis techniques and methods of metabolomics, describes the research status of metabolomic techniques in the field of forensic pathology application research, including postmortem interval and death cause. Moreover, this article summarizes and discusses the potential applicable areas, in order to provide reference for relative research and application.
Autopsy ; Forensic Pathology/trends* ; Forensic Toxicology ; Humans ; Metabolomics ; Postmortem Changes

Postmortem changes on corpses appear immediately after death, and can transform the original structure characteristics of the corpse to different degrees as well as show specific changes on computed tomography （CT） images, sometimes with false positives and false negatives, influencing the identification of injuries or diseases. This paper systematically summarizes the postmortem changes of computed tomography imaging characteristics on corpses, to further expand the application of virtopsy in the practices of forensic pathology identification, and provide reference for the identification of injuries, diseases and changes after normal death.
Autopsy ; Cadaver ; Forensic Pathology/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Postmortem Changes ; Research/trends* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Postmortem chemistry is becoming more and more essential in routine forensic pathology and has made considerable progress over the past years. Biochemical analyses of vitreous humor, blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid may provide important information in determining the cause of death or in elucidating forensic issues. Postmortem chemistry may be essential for the determination of cause of death when morphological methods (diabetes mellitus, alcoholic ketoacidosis and electrolytic disorders) cannot detect the pathophysiological changes involved in the death process. It can also provide many information in other forensic situations, including myocardial ischemia, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal disturbances. The most recent relevant research advances on glucose metabolism, liver function, cardiac function, renal function, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal aspect are hereby reviewed.
Anaphylaxis ; Autopsy/trends* ; Biomarkers/analysis* ; Body Fluids/chemistry* ; Death ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Humans ; Postmortem Changes ; Sepsis ; Vitreous Body

OBJECTIVETo compare the characteristics of suicides in the four main demographic groups: urban males, urban females, rural males and rural females in order to help clarify the demographic pattern of suicides in China.

METHODSA detailed psychological autopsy survey instrument was independently administered to 895 suicide victims in family members and close associates from 23 geographically representative locations from around the country.

RESULTSPesticide ingestion accounted for 58% (519) of all suicides and 61% (318/519) of deaths were due to unsuccessful medical resuscitation. A substantial proportion (37%) of suicide victims did not have a mental illness. Among the 563 victims with mental illness, only 13% (76/563) received psychiatric treatment. Compared to other demographic groups, young rural females who died from suicide had the highest rate of pesticide ingestion (79%), the lowest prevalence of mental illness (39%), and the highest acute stress from precipitating life events just prior to the suicide.

CONCLUSIONMany suicides in China are impulsive acts of deliberate self-harm following acute interpersonal crises. Prevention of suicides in China must focus on improving awareness of psychological problems, improving mental health services, providing alternative social support networks for managing acute interpersonal conflicts, limiting access to pesticides, and improving the resuscitation skills of primary care providers.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autopsy ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Suicide ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Urban Population