P-selectin is a cell adhesion glycoprotein stored in Weibel-Palade bodies of vascular endothelial cells and in alpha-granules of platelets; it is an important regulator of the first phase of leukocyte-endothelium interaction. P-selectin is rapidly translocated to the surface of endothelial cells and platelets on activation. P-selectin is up-regulated in vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and small intestines during murine traumatic shock. Although the expression of P-selectin immunoreactivity in the lungs from traumatic deaths has been studied, little is known about the P-selectin expression in the kidneys from traumatic deaths. Since the kidney is subject to morphological changes under traumatic shock, this study hypothesized that P-selectin expression in the kidney might help evaluate the existence and severity of traumatic shock, which is an important abnormality in forensic pathology. The study found that P-selectin immunoreactivity was present in the glomerular capillary endothelial tufts and cortical interstitial vascular endothelial cells. The P-selectin immunoreactivity in the glomeruli was not co-localized with CD41 (platelet marker) immunoreactivity. The antemortem interval between the onset of injury and death was statistically significantly longer in the cases with more P-selectin-positive capillary endothelial tufts in the glomeruli. The study results show that P-selectin immunoreactivity exists in the glomerular capillary endothelial cells rather than platelets. The results also indicate that the P-selectin expression increases in the glomerular endothelial cells of the human kidney with the longer duration of the state under injury. 2 figures, 1 table, and 6 references