[To estimate early postmortem interval by investigating changes of rats' gastrocnemius excitability].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of excitability of rats' gastrocnemius after rats were died from mechanic asphyxia, so as to make an objective evidence for estimating of the early postmortem interval. METHODS: After rats were sacrificed by mechanic asphyxia, the reaction of rats' gastrocnemius to variable electric stimulation at different period after death were recorded by electricphysiological method. RESULTS: Changes in the properties of excitable tissue to electric stimulate in rats' gastrocnemius after mechanic asphyxia seems to be well correlated with the early postmortem interval and appeared a linear relation in certain period. CONCLUSION: The regular changes of excitability in muscle might be a useful means for estimating of early postmortem interval.