A reliable estimation of time since death can be important for the law enforcement authorities. The compound method encompassing supravital reactions such as the chemical excitability of the iris can be used to further narrow intervals estimated by temperature-based methods. Postmortem iris excitability was mostly assessed by parasympatholytic or parasympathomimetic substances. Little is known regarding sympathomimetic agents. The present study aims to describe the postmortem iris excitability using the sympathomimetic drug phenylephrine.

Cadavers were included after body donors gave written informed consent during lifetime. Exclusion criteria were known eye disease, or a postmortem interval exceeding 26 hours. A pupillometer with a minimum measurement range of 0.5 mm was used to determine the horizontal pupil diameter before and 20 minutes after the application of phenylephrine. Increase in pupil diameter was labeled as positive reaction, unchanged pupil diameter was labeled as negative reaction, and decrease in pupil diameter was labeled as paradox reaction.

30 eyes from 16 cadavers (median age = 80.0; 9 males, 7 females) were examined. Initial pupil size was in median 3.5 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.0–4.5 mm) and progressed to 4.0 mm (IQR: 3.5–5.0 mm) 20 minutes after drug instillation. The achieved pupil diameter difference comprised in median 0.5 mm (IQR: 0.0–1.0 mm). A positive reaction was observed in 21 cases. Negative reactions were observed in 5 cases and paradox reactions in 4 cases. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference in diameter between the initial and the reactive pupil (P = 0.0002).

Although relatively rarely used, sympathomimetic drugs seem to be eligible for chemical postmortem iris excitability. Currently, assessment of postmortem iris excitability usually only involves parasympatholytic and parasympathomimetic agents. The findings of the present study give a hint that the application of a third agent with a sympathomimetic mechanism of action could provide additional information. Further studies assessing such a triple approach in the compound method in comparison with the current gold standard for estimation of time since death are mandatory to ensure reliable results.