Which method is used to assess how long ago death occurred?

Analyzing vitreous humor chemistry is a reliable method to assess the postmortem interval, which indicates the time elapsed since death. The vitreous humor, a gel-like substance found in the eye, undergoes specific biochemical changes after death. By measuring the levels of various substances, such as potassium, researchers can estimate the time that has passed since the individual died. This method is particularly beneficial because it is less affected by external factors compared to other methods.

In contrast, while estimating based on body position can give initial clues about the time of death, it is not precise and relies heavily on the context of the scene. Evaluating environmental conditions can also impact the decomposition process, but it introduces many variables that can skew results. Furthermore, considering eyewitness accounts can be useful in some investigations; however, these accounts are subjective and can be unreliable due to memory distortions or biases. Therefore, analyzing vitreous humor chemistry offers a more scientific and definitive approach to determining the time since death.