Determining time of death of a dog by analyzing blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor collected at postmortem.

Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor collected at antemortem and postmortem from 60 dogs were analyzed to determine what chemical value may be used for estimating time of death. Euthanatized dogs were maintained at 4 C, 20 C, or 37 C for 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours. At postmortem, vitreous humor potassium values increased with increased time and increased temperature. Cerebrospinal fluid chloride values decreased; potassium and phosphorus values increased markedly, and calcium and creatinine values increased slightly. Blood potassium, phosphorus, and creatinine values increased; sodium and chloride values decreased. Within 6 hours after death, blood carbon dioxide values decreased to a quarter of values determined at antemortem.