[Identification and significance of delta-aminovaleric acid in putrefaction materials (author's transl)].

During former putrefaction experiments regularly a proteogenic substance has been found which by means of modern analytical methods now was identified as delta-aminovaleric acid (DAVA). DAVA seems to appear in guinea pig as well as human organs and some body fluids under experimental conditions never before the 3rd (20 degrees C) to 5th day (10 degrees C). It is characterized by statistically significant increases until the end of the 2nd (20 degrees C) to 5th week (10 degrees C) and relatively stable values thereafter. Considering storage temperature measurement of DAVA concentration can be of relevance for the estimation of the time of death in cases of putrescent corpses.