M. Hakan Özdemir

Investigating demodex in forensic autopsy cases

Demodex is an ectoparasite living in the skin as a nonpathogen or a pathogen. It is also known that demodex acts as a vector of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we have investigated the rate of occurrence and vitality of demodex in forensic autopsies that have a high risk of contamination by infected organisms. The study, which was cross-sectional, conducted on 100 autopsy cases: 77 of the bodies were male and 23 female. The average age was 41. The samples were taken from the forehead, nose, cheeks, eyelashes and the temporal areas using the standardized skin surface biopsy and hair epilation techniques that were modified for this study. The data obtained were assessed statistically. Demodex was determined in 10% of all the cases. The cases revealed that demodex increased in old age and was more frequently seen in people with fair complexion. It was most frequently found in the forehead and the cheek. The longest postmortem interval in the positive cases was 55 h. The relationship between the postmortem interval and the presence of demodex was not statistically significant. Considering the fact that demodex, which is transmitted from human to human through skin contact, acts as a vector of pathogenic organisms and can stay alive in dead bodies for a long time, we think that the personnel performing autopsies without taking the necessary precautions are under risk.