Immunohistochemical markers in the determination of lesion viability in decomposed bodies: A mini literature review

The ability to distinguish between viable and post-mortem lesions is crucial in forensic medicine, especially in cases of advanced decomposition. Glycophorin A (GPA) is one of the most studied immunohistochemical markers for assessing lesion viability, with persistence in putrefied tissues up to 6 months. However, its sensitivity decreases beyond 15 days. Other markers such as tryptase, IL-15, CD15, CD45 and matrix metalloproteinases have been tested in decomposition contexts, but the results are inconclusive. This mini review article explores the main studies on immunohistochemical markers, discussing their utility and limitations in forensic investigations of decomposed bodies.