ABSTRACT
The retina is a highly specialized neural tissue responsible for visual processing. Post-mortem retinal changes can provide crucial insights into forensic investigations and ocular pathology. This study analyzed the histological changes in the porcine retina at various post-mortem intervals (PMIs) to understand the structural degradation over time. A total of 15 porcine eyes were obtained from healthy swine from Ekiadolor abattoir and transferred in -4oC temperature to the histo-chemical laboratory of the anatomy department at the University of Benin, where it was fixed and examined at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-mortem. The histological analysis was performed at the histo-pathology department at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. The results revealed progressive retinal degeneration, with early structural disorganization observed at 12 hours, followed by significant nuclear pyknosis and homogenization at 24 hours. By 48 hours, substantial layer separation and cellular disintegration were evident, and by 72 hours, nuclear staining had diminished significantly, indicating advanced degradation. A linear regression with repeated measures demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between PMI and retinal deterioration (p < 0.001). The outer nuclear layer, inner nuclear layer, and ganglion cell layer exhibited the most pronounced structural changes. These findings suggest that retinal histology can serve as a reliable marker for estimating post-mortem intervals in forensic pathology. Additionally, the study highlights the potential of porcine models in ophthalmic research to better understand retinal degeneration mechanisms.
Keywords: Post-mortem interval, retinal histology, porcine model, retinal degradation, forensic pathology,
