Detectable time frame of post-mortem idiomuscular contraction following mechanical stimulation among deceased individuals in Buri Ram Province
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Abstract
Background: Idiomuscular contraction of skeletal muscle after death is one of the supravital responses that may serve as a supplementary indicator for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI). However, the precise temporal limits for its detection and the associated influencing factors remain unclear.
Objectives: To investigate the detectable time frame of idiomuscular contraction of the biceps brachii muscle following death, and to identify the factors associated with the presence of this contraction.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 355 deceased individuals aged 16 years and older at the mortuary unit of Buri Ram Hospital, with clearly documented times of death. All cadavers underwent mechanical stimulation of the biceps brachii muscles on both sides. The presence or absence of idiomuscular contraction was recorded as positive or negative, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to present general characteristics. Associations were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and both univariable and multivariable logistic regression models (adjusted for age, sex, body mass index [BMI], and cause of death) were applied. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 355 deceased individuals, idiomuscular contraction of the biceps brachii was observed in 199 cases (56.1%). The positive group had a mean post-mortem interval (PMI) of 2.9 ± 1.4 hours (range 1–8 hours). Contractions were detectable within the first 1–8 hours after death and were absent beyond 9 hours. Univariable logistic regression showed a significant association between PMI and muscle contraction (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.21–0.38, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and cause of death, PMI remained significantly associated (adj OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.19–0.38, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Post-mortem skeletal muscle contraction was detectable within 8 hours after death. The post-mortem interval showed a statistically significant association with the presence of contraction, whereas other factors had no effect on its detectability.
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