Vitreous humour is the preferred post-mortem fluid for alcohol and glucose estimation because it is protected from putrefaction. An additional advantage is its utility in establishing ante-mortem hyperglycaemia. Post-mortem vitreous glucose is considered reliable up to approximately:
- A 2–4 hours after death
- B 24–48 hours after death ✓
- C 4–7 days after death
- D Only within 1 hour of death
Correct answer: B. 24–48 hours after death
Explanation
Vitreous humour is metabolically nearly isolated; its glucose concentration declines very slowly post-mortem compared to blood glucose (which falls to zero within hours). Vitreous glucose remains a reliable indicator of ante-mortem glycaemic status for approximately 24–48 hours after death, making it useful in forensic and medicolegal diabetic death investigations. Beyond 48–72 hours, bacterial overgrowth and putrefaction make the values unreliable.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.