2. Blood Glucose
• Blood glucose – sugar within the bloodstream that
provides energy for the cells of the body
• Postmortem blood glucose levels fluctuate; variable
decrease in glucose after death
• Can be synthesized in vitreous humor in
decomposed/embalmed bodies
3. Insulin
• Hormone produced by pancreas
• Secreted by beta cells
• Lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels
• Induces muscle and liver cells to take up glucose and
store it as glycogen for later use
• Stimulates anabolic processes (fat and protein synthesis)
4. Types of Insulin
Endogenous:
• Originating within the body
• Insulin made by the pancreas
Exogenous:
• Originating outside of the body
• Insulin injected or infused by insulin pump
6. Connecting Peptide (C-Peptide)
• C-peptide – byproduct of insulin production by the
pancreas
• Levels gauge amount of insulin being produced
• Endogenous insulin production corresponds with an
increase in c-peptide levels
• Exogenous insulin administration is not associated with
an increase in c-peptide levels
• C-peptide levels fall after approximately 24 hours post
mortem
7. Postmortem Analysis
• All dead bodies have low blood glucose levels; cannot
accurately diagnose hypoglycemia from postmortem
analysis of vitreous humor glucose
• Must test soon after death due to fast half-life of insulin
• Cannot calculate the dose of insulin administered
exogenously from postmortem blood analysis
• Testing c-peptide not useful since it’s levels are not
associated with exogenous insulin
