The paper examines the use of expressions proposed by Csanady to predict the influence of the crossing trajectory and continuity effects on the decorrelation time scales of the fluid along solid particle trajectories in horizontal and downward vertical channel flows. The model is evaluated using data provided by a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the carrier phase combined with a Lagrangian simulation of discrete particle (LS). Two particle relaxation times and two values of the gravity acceleration are considered. The results show the possibility of using Csanady's expressions in a turbulent channel flow provided that the spatial and temporal correlations anisotropy is included in the model. As in isotropic homogeneous turbulence, a decrease of the decorrelation time scales is found to be more important in the directions perpendicular to the mean relative velocity. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.