Demands on scientific studies: Vitality of wounds and wound age estimation

Research on vitality and wound age estimation belongs to the classic fields in forensic medicine. Despite large literature data there is still considerable demand of further research and practical transfer of knowledge and techniques to daily casework. Scientific studies must fulfil basic criteria as to appropriate methods, selection of case material, analysis of results and quality control. Nowadays, immunohistochemistry, biochemical tests and molecular biological techniques are mainly used studying questions of vitality and wound age. Investigations can be based on human tissue samples (autopsy material, vital specimens) or animal experiments. The possibilities, advantages and disadvantages of these study designs are described. Indispensable is the use of appropriate control groups or control samples and a sufficient case number which permits statistical analysis. Main strategy is to minimize variations due to methods and investigators as the unavoidable biological variation of vitality processes and wound repair is large enough.