J Korean Med Sci.  2019 Oct;34(38):e246. 10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e246.

Evaluation of Point-of-Care Testing for C-Reactive Protein in Forensic Medicine

• Na JY
• Park JT

• KMID: 2459092
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e246

Abstract

BACKGROUND
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein whose level increases in response to tissue injury, infection, or other inflammation. It is used in clinical and forensic settings. Point-of-care (POC) testing has recently become available, and it is considered to be useful during postmortem examinations. However, laboratory testing of postmortem blood samples is difficult due to hemolysis and postmortem clotting.
METHODS
The utility of POC testing for CRP during postmortem examination was evaluated using cardiac blood from the inferior vena cava. The whole blood sample was immediately tested using the POC instrument. Subsequently, the same sample was processed to obtain the serum, which was tested using common laboratory instruments.
RESULTS
The postmortem POC test had a high positive predictive value and specificity, and the results strongly correlated with the laboratory test results.
CONCLUSION
POC CRP testing is valid in postmortem examination and can be used in forensic medicine (postmortem inspection and autopsy).

Keyword

Forensic Science; Forensic Medicine; C-Reactive Protein; Point-of-Care Testing

MeSH Terms

Acute-Phase Proteins
Autopsy
C-Reactive Protein*
Forensic Medicine*
Forensic Sciences
Hemolysis
Inflammation
Point-of-Care Systems*
Point-of-Care Testing*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Vena Cava, Inferior
Acute-Phase Proteins
C-Reactive Protein