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Smith JL. Evaluating the impact of hot water killing larvae on gene expression using the transformer gene in Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Forensic Sci 2024. [PMID: 38691242 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
In forensic entomology, determining the age of a larva from a body to estimate time since death is commonly performed through the measurement of a physical trait. Gene expression has been studied as an alternative age estimation approach, but the storage conditions required for these studies are different than those used in forensic entomological casework. Studies analyzing gene expression prioritize the preservation of RNA, which requires fresh tissue and ultra-cold storage. Casework, in contrast, utilizes hot water killing specimens that may not be analyzed for a long period after collection. In the current study, the impact of hot water killing on gene expression was assessed for larval samples of the forensically important blow fly, Cochliomyia macellaria. Successful amplification of the sex-determining gene, transformer, was tested across larvae ranging in size from 3.22 to 16.85 mm in length after storage times of 1-2 weeks, 4-5 weeks, and 8-9 weeks at 4°C in RNAlater. Larvae hot water killed were processed in tandem with larvae stored live to allow for a direct assessment of the impact of boiling on gene expression. As expected, the transformer gene was successfully amplified in all larvae stored live. For the hot water-killed larvae, the success rate was only slightly lower, with 3 out of 75 larvae not generating a sex-specific band pattern. The results show gene expression can be used for hot water-killed samples, though future work across different genes, species, and extending to quantitative gene expression methods is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L Smith
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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2
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Choi SG, Tittle T, Garcia-Prada D, Kordower JH, Melki R, Killinger BA. Alpha-synuclein aggregates are phosphatase resistant. bioRxiv 2024:2023.11.20.567854. [PMID: 38645137 PMCID: PMC11030248 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.20.567854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αsyn) is an intrinsically disordered protein that aggregates in the brain in several neurodegenerative diseases collectively called synucleinopathies. Phosphorylation of αsyn at serine 129 (PSER129) was considered rare in the healthy human brain but is enriched in pathological αsyn aggregates and is used as a specific marker for disease inclusions. However, recent observations challenge this assumption by demonstrating that PSER129 results from neuronal activity and can be readily detected in the non-diseased mammalian brain. Here, we investigated experimental conditions under which two distinct PSER129 pools, namely endogenous-PSER129 and aggregated-PSER129, could be detected and differentiated in the mammalian brain. Results showed that in the wild-type (WT) mouse brain, perfusion fixation conditions greatly influenced the detection of endogenous-PSER129, with endogenous-PSER129 being nearly undetectable after delayed perfusion fixation (30-minute and 1-hour postmortem interval). Exposure to anesthetics (e.g., Ketamine or xylazine) before perfusion did not significantly influence endogenous-PSER129 detection or levels. In situ, non-specific phosphatase calf alkaline phosphatase (CIAP) selectively dephosphorylated endogenous-PSER129 while αsyn preformed fibril (PFF)-seeded aggregates and genuine disease aggregates (Lewy pathology and Papp-Lantos bodies in Parkinson's disease and multiple systems atrophy brain, respectively) were resistant to CIAP-mediated dephosphorylation. The phosphatase resistance of aggregates was abolished by sample denaturation, and CIAP-resistant PSER129 was closely associated with proteinase K (PK)-resistant αsyn (i.e., a marker of aggregation). CIAP pretreatment allowed for highly specific detection of seeded αsyn aggregates in a mouse model that accumulates non-aggregated-PSER129. We conclude that αsyn aggregates are impervious to phosphatases, and CIAP pretreatment increases detection specificity for aggregated-PSER129, particularly in well-preserved biological samples (e.g., perfusion fixed or flash-frozen mammalian tissues) where there is a high probability of interference from endogenous-PSER129. Our findings have important implications for the mechanism of PSER129-accumulation in the synucleinopathy brain and provide a simple experimental method to differentiate endogenous-from aggregated PSER129.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Choi
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - T Tittle
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - D Garcia-Prada
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J H Kordower
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - R Melki
- Institut Francois Jacob (MIRCen), CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, Fontenay-Aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - B A Killinger
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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3
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Huang W, Zhao S, Liu H, Pan M, Dong H. The Role of Protein Degradation in Estimation Postmortem Interval and Confirmation of Cause of Death in Forensic Pathology: A Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1659. [PMID: 38338938 PMCID: PMC10855206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
It is well known that proteins are important bio-macromolecules in human organisms, and numerous proteins are widely used in the clinical practice, whereas their application in forensic science is currently limited. This limitation is mainly attributed to the postmortem degradation of targeted proteins, which can significantly impact final conclusions. In the last decade, numerous methods have been established to detect the protein from a forensic perspective, and some of the postmortem proteins have been applied in forensic practice. To better understand the emerging issues and challenges in postmortem proteins, we have reviewed the current application of protein technologies at postmortem in forensic practice. Meanwhile, we discuss the application of proteins in identifying the cause of death, and postmortem interval (PMI). Finally, we highlight the interpretability and limitations of postmortem protein challenges. We believe that utilizing the multi-omics method can enhance the comprehensiveness of applying proteins in forensic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisheng Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
| | - Shuquan Zhao
- Faculty of Forensic Pathology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China;
| | - Huine Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
| | - Meichen Pan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
| | - Hongmei Dong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
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Wu Z, Guo Y, Hayakawa M, Yang W, Lu Y, Ma J, Li L, Li C, Liu Y, Niu J. Artificial intelligence-driven microbiome data analysis for estimation of postmortem interval and crime location. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1334703. [PMID: 38314433 PMCID: PMC10834752 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1334703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities, demonstrating dynamic changes in cadavers and the surroundings, provide invaluable insights for forensic investigations. Conventional methodologies for microbiome sequencing data analysis face obstacles due to subjectivity and inefficiency. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents an efficient and accurate tool, with the ability to autonomously process and analyze high-throughput data, and assimilate multi-omics data, encompassing metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. This facilitates accurate and efficient estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), detection of crime location, and elucidation of microbial functionalities. This review presents an overview of microorganisms from cadavers and crime scenes, emphasizes the importance of microbiome, and summarizes the application of AI in high-throughput microbiome data processing in forensic microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Wu
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaoxing Guo
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Ministry of Education and NHC, Shenyang, China
- National Joint Engineering Research Center for Theranostics of Immunological Skin Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Miren Hayakawa
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Yansong Lu
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingyi Ma
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Linghui Li
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuntao Li
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingchun Liu
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Jun Niu
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
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Woess C, Huck CW, Badzoka J, Kappacher C, Arora R, Lindtner RA, Zelger P, Schirmer M, Rabl W, Pallua J. Raman spectroscopy for postmortem interval estimation of human skeletal remains: A scoping review. J Biophotonics 2023; 16:e202300189. [PMID: 37494000 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Estimating postmortem intervals (PMI) is crucial in forensic investigations, providing insights into criminal cases and determining the time of death. PMI estimation relies on expert experience and a combination of thanatological data and environmental factors but is prone to errors. The lack of reliable methods for assessing PMI in bones and soft tissues necessitates a better understanding of bone decomposition. Several research groups have shown promise in PMI estimation in skeletal remains but lack valid data for forensic cases. Current methods are costly, time-consuming, and unreliable for PMIs over 5 years. Raman spectroscopy (RS) can potentially estimate PMI by studying chemical modifications in bones and teeth correlated with burial time. This review summarizes RS applications, highlighting its potential as an innovative, nondestructive, and fast technique for PMI estimation in forensic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Woess
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian W Huck
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - J Badzoka
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - C Kappacher
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - R Arora
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - R A Lindtner
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Philipp Zelger
- University Clinic for Hearing, Voice and Speech Disorders, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Schirmer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - W Rabl
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Pallua
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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6
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Bozó C. [Estimating the time of death by examining fly eggs]. Orv Hetil 2023; 164:1518-1522. [PMID: 37742217 DOI: 10.1556/650.2023.32841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Forensic entomology is an interdisciplinary field of science closely related to forensic medicine, which studies insects from a forensic perspective. At the scene of homicide crimes, if insect remains are found on the victim, these are great help unravel the circumstances of death. The carrion flies (Diptera: Calliphora) are usually the first to colonise the corpse and one of the most frequently observed group of animal at the scene or in the autopsy room. In this case study, I will show how the examination of the eggs of a forensically important fly species found on one victim of the double homicide helped to establish the time of death and its significance as evidence. The fly eggs found on one of the victim, a man, were examined by conventional light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography. These technical tools were crucial in determining the species of insect present and identifying its development stages. The carrion flies - together with other invastigative data - contributed to confirm that the suspect perpetrator was present at the time of the crime. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(38): 1518-1522.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Bozó
- 1 Nemzeti Szakértői és Kutató Központ Budapest, Mosonyi u. 9., 1078 Magyarország
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Guo Y, Hu G, Li L, Liao M, Wang J, Wang Y, Tao L. Developmental Indicators of Chrysomya nigripes Aubertin under Different Constant Temperature Conditions and an Application Case for Estimating the PMI min. Insects 2023; 14:729. [PMID: 37754697 PMCID: PMC10532226 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Chrysomya nigripes Aubertin, 1932, is a Calliphoridae species that colonize the carcass after the bloat phase and remains for long periods. Some early sarcosaprophagous insects complete one generation of development and are no longer associated with the corpse and surrounding environment, while C. nigripes larvae and pupae remain, providing a basis for the estimation of the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) for highly decomposed or skeletonized carcasses. However, data on the growth and development of this species are not yet complete. As a result, we studied the developmental patterns of C. nigripes at eight constant temperatures ranging from 16-37 °C and constructed various developmental models, including the isomorphen diagram, isomegalen diagram, linear thermal summation model, nonlinear thermodynamic Optim SSI model, and logistic regression model. Chrysomya nigripes could not complete the entire developmental process at 16 °C, although it could be completed at other temperatures. The mean developmental times (±SD) of C. nigripes from egg to adult at 19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C, 34 °C, and 37 °C were 644.9 ± 36.8 h, 422.9 ± 20.1 h, 323.1 ± 13.9 h, 246.6 ± 11.2 h, 202.5 ± 1.8 h, 191.5 ± 3.8 h, and 191.8 ± 2.0 h, respectively. The thermal summation constant (K) and lower critical thermal threshold (TL) derived from the linear thermal summation models were 4083.00 ± 293.39 degree hours and 12.52 ± 0.83 °C, respectively. In addition, TL, intrinsic optimum temperature (TΦ), and upper critical thermal threshold (TH) estimated by the optimized nonlinear thermodynamic Optim SSI model were 15.76 °C, 24.88 °C, and 38.15 °C, respectively. This study provides more comprehensive developmental data of C. nigripes for PMImin estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Guo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; (Y.G.); (G.H.); (L.L.); (J.W.); (L.T.)
| | - Gengwang Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; (Y.G.); (G.H.); (L.L.); (J.W.); (L.T.)
| | - Liangliang Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; (Y.G.); (G.H.); (L.L.); (J.W.); (L.T.)
| | - Mingqing Liao
- Criminal Police Branch, Zhongshan Public Security Bureau, Zhongshan 528400, China;
| | - Jiangfeng Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; (Y.G.); (G.H.); (L.L.); (J.W.); (L.T.)
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; (Y.G.); (G.H.); (L.L.); (J.W.); (L.T.)
| | - Luyang Tao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; (Y.G.); (G.H.); (L.L.); (J.W.); (L.T.)
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Albano GD, Zerbo S, La Spina C, Midiri M, Guadagnino D, D'Anna T, Buscemi R, Argo A. Toxicological Analysis in Tissues Following Exhumation More Than Two Years after Death (948 Days): A Forensic Perspective in a Fatal Case. Toxics 2023; 11:485. [PMID: 37368585 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Exhumations are performed in accordance with a court order and are crucial instruments in the investigation of death allegations. When a death is thought to be the result of drug misuse, pharmaceutical overdose, or pesticide poisoning, this process may be used on human remains. However, after a protracted postmortem interval (PMI), it might be difficult to detect the cause of death by looking at an exhumed corpse. The following case report reveals problems associated with postmortem drug concentration changes following exhumation more than two years after death. A 31-year-old man was found dead in a prison cell. Onan inspection of the place, two blister packs, one with a tablet and the other empty, were taken and kept by the police officers. The evening before, the deceased would have taken cetirizine and food supplements consisting of carnitine-creatine tablets. No relevant autopsy findings have been observed. The toxicological analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and was negative for substances of abuse. Proteomic analysis was positive for creatine detection and negative for other drugs (clarithromycin, fenofibrate, and cetirizine). The presented case shows the methods, the findings, and the limitations of toxicological analysis in an exhumation case with a long postmortem interval (PMI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Davide Albano
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefania Zerbo
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Corinne La Spina
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mauro Midiri
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Guadagnino
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Tommaso D'Anna
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Buscemi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonina Argo
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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Weber B, Roe S, Sens MA. Postmortem Tanning: An Unusual Postmortem Event. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2023; 44:00000433-990000000-00074. [PMID: 37195083 PMCID: PMC10430662 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT A variety of changes, many predictable and others more aberrant, occur during the postmortem interval. A number of these changes are largely influenced by various environmental conditions. We describe 3 cases of an unusual postmortem change associated with prolonged sunlight exposure in both frozen and nonfrozen individuals. In each case, very well-delineated, dark tanning lines were present where clothing or another object blocked sunlight. This change appears distinct from mummification and scant literature references that describe a tanned skin transformation in cases associated with burials in high salt-containing bogs. Collectively, the cases highlight a novel postmortem phenomenon known as postmortem tanning. The potential mechanism(s) of this change is discussed within the context of known observations. Increased recognition and knowledge of postmortem tanning are exceedingly important in assessing how this change may assist in postmortem scene analysis.
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Umapathi A, Chawla H, Singh SB, Tyagi A. Analysis of Changes in Electrolytes Level in Serum After Death and Its Correlation With Postmortem Interval. Cureus 2023; 15:e38957. [PMID: 37313102 PMCID: PMC10258654 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Apropos estimation of postmortem interval is an important and difficult task for forensic pathologists. In routine practice, postmortem interval is deduced by conventional or physical methods such as early and late postmortem changes, which are subjective methods and prone to errors. Estimating time since death by thanatochemistry is a more objective method as compared to routine conventional or physical methods. The present study is an attempt to analyze the changes in electrolytes level in serum after death and its correlation with postmortem interval. Materials and methods Blood samples were taken from the deceased who were brought for a medicolegal autopsy. The concentration of electrolytes, mainly sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate, was evaluated in the serum. The deceased were grouped on the basis of time since death. Log-transferred regression analysis was done to establish the correlation of the concentration of electrolytes with time since death and regression formulas were derived for each parameter. Results Sodium concentration in serum showed a negative correlation with time since death. Potassium, calcium, and phosphate showed a positive correlation with time since death. No statistically significant difference exists in the concentration of electrolytes between males and females. No significant difference was observed in the electrolytes concentration between the age groups. Conclusion Considering the findings of this study, we infer that the concentration of electrolytes, primarily sodium, potassium, and phosphates, in the blood can be used to approximate the amount of time that has passed since death. Nonetheless, until 48 hours after death, electrolyte levels in the blood can be considered for the calculation of the postmortem interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aravindan Umapathi
- Forensic Medicine, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar, Nuh, IND
| | - Hitesh Chawla
- Forensic Medicine, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar, Nuh, IND
| | - Sangeeta B Singh
- Biochemistry, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar, Nuh, IND
| | - Ashish Tyagi
- Forensic Medicine, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar, Nuh, IND
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Zhang XD, Jiang YR, Liang XR, Tian T, Jin QQ, Zhang XH, Cao J, DU QX, Sun JH. Postmortem Interval Estimation Using Protein Chip Technology Combined with Multivariate Analysis Methods. Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi 2023; 39:115-120. [PMID: 37277373 DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.420407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate postmortem interval (PMI) by analyzing the protein changes in skeletal muscle tissues with the protein chip technology combined with multivariate analysis methods. METHODS Rats were sacrificed for cervical dislocation and placed at 16 ℃. Water-soluble proteins in skeletal muscles were extracted at 10 time points (0 d, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 4 d, 5 d, 6 d, 7 d, 8 d and 9 d) after death. Protein expression profile data with relative molecular mass of 14 000-230 000 were obtained. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) were used for data analysis. Fisher discriminant model and back propagation (BP) neural network model were constructed to classify and preliminarily estimate the PMI. In addition, the protein expression profiles data of human skeletal muscles at different time points after death were collected, and the relationship between them and PMI was analyzed by heat map and cluster analysis. RESULTS The protein peak of rat skeletal muscle changed with PMI. The result of PCA combined with OPLS discriminant analysis showed statistical significance in groups with different time points (P<0.05) except 6 d, 7 d and 8 d after death. By Fisher discriminant analysis, the accuracy of internal cross-validation was 71.4% and the accuracy of external validation was 66.7%. The BP neural network model classification and preliminary estimation results showed the accuracy of internal cross-validation was 98.2%, and the accuracy of external validation was 95.8%. There was a significant difference in protein expression between 4 d and 25 h after death by the cluster analysis of the human skeletal muscle samples. CONCLUSIONS The protein chip technology can quickly, accurately and repeatedly obtain water-soluble protein expression profiles in rats' and human skeletal muscles with the relative molecular mass of 14 000-230 000 at different time points postmortem. The establishment of multiple PMI estimation models based on multivariate analysis can provide a new idea and method for PMI estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Dong Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yao-Ru Jiang
- Yuzhou Public Security Bureau, Yuzhou 452570, Henan Province, China
| | - Xin-Rui Liang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Tian Tian
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qian-Qian Jin
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Zhang
- Zouping Public Security Bureau, Zouping 256200, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jie Cao
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Qiu-Xiang DU
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Jun-Hong Sun
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
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Skinner J, Langley N, Joseph M, Herrick J, Brown R, Waletzki B, Goguen P, Shyamsunder L, Rajan S. Do bone elasticity and postmortem interval affect forensic fractographic analyses? J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:757-767. [PMID: 37057637 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Forensic fractographic features of bone reliably establish crack propagation in perimortem injuries. We investigated if similar fracture surface features characterize postmortem fractures. Experimentally induced peri- and postmortem fractures were used to assess if fractographic features vary as bone elasticity decreases during the postmortem interval (PMI). Thirty-seven unembalmed, defleshed human femoral shafts from males and females aged 33-81 years were fractured at varying PMIs with a drop test frame using a three-point bending setup and recorded with a high-speed camera. Vital statistics, cause of death, PMI length, temperature, humidity, collagen percentage, water loss, fracture energy, and fractography scores were recorded for each sample. Results showed that fractographic features associated with perimortem fractures were expressed in PMIs up to 40,600 accumulated degree hours (ADH), or 60 warm weather days. Hackle was the most consistently expressed feature, occurring in all fractures regardless of ADH. The most variable characteristics were wake features (78.4%) and arrest ridges (70.3%). Collagen percentage did not correlate strongly with ADH (r = -0.04, p = 0.81); however, there was a strong significant correlation between ADH and water loss (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). Multinomial logistic regression showed no association between fractographic feature expression and ADH or collagen percentage. In conclusion, forensic fractographic features reliably determine initiation and directionality of crack propagation in experimentally induced PMIs up to 40,600 ADH, demonstrating the utility of this method into the recent postmortem interval. This expression of reliable fractographic features throughout the early PMI intimates these characteristics may not be useful standalone features for discerning peri- versus postmortem fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert Brown
- Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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13
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Roe AL, Higley LG. Stage Transitions in Lucilia sericata and Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Implications for Forensic Science. Insects 2023; 14:315. [PMID: 37103130 PMCID: PMC10145051 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Blow fly development rates have become a key factor in estimating the postmortem interval where blow flies are among the first decomposers to occur on a body. Because the use of blow fly development requires short time durations and high accuracy, stage transition distributions are essential for proper development modeling. However, detailed examinations of stage transitions are not available for any blow fly species. Consequently, we examined this issue in two blow fly species: Lucilia sericata and Phormia regina. Transitions for all life stages across all measured temperatures were normally distributed. Use of probit analysis allowed determination of 50% transition points and associated measures of variation (i.e., standard errors). The greatest variation was noted for the L2-L3, L3-L3m, and L3m-P stage transitions. These results invalidate the notion that largest maggots should be preferentially collected for determining current maggot population stage, and further call into question the relationship between intrinsic variation and potential geographic variation in development rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Roe
- Biology Program, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
| | - Leon G. Higley
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
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Hu G, Li L, Guo Y, Kang C, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Wang J, Wang Y. Temperature-Dependent Development of Nitidula rufipes (Linnaeus, 1767) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and Its Significance in Estimating Minimum Postmortem Interval. Insects 2023; 14:299. [PMID: 36975984 PMCID: PMC10058101 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Coleoptera, including the family Nitidulidae, are valuable for estimating long-term postmortem intervals in the late stage of body decomposition. This study showed that, under seven constant temperatures of 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 °C, the developmental durations of Nitidula rufipes (Linnaeus, 1767) from oviposition to eclosion were 71.0 ± 4.4, 52.9 ± 4.1, 40.1 ± 3.4, 30.1 ± 2.1, 24.2 ± 2.0, 21.0 ±2.3, and 20.8 ± 2.4 days, respectively. The morphological indexes of body length, the widths of the head capsules, and the distance between the urogomphi of the larvae were measured in vivo. The regression model between larval body length and developmental durations was simulated for larval aging, and the head capsule width and the distance between the urogomphi at different instars were cluster-analyzed for instar discrimination. Based on the developmental durations, larval body length and thermal summation data were obtained, and the isomorphen diagram, isomegalen diagram, linear thermal summation models, and curvilinear Optim SSI models were established. The lower developmental threshold and thermal summation constant of N. rufipes evaluated by the linear thermal summation models were 9.65 ± 0.62 °C and 471.40 ± 25.46 degree days, respectively. The lower developmental thresholds, intrinsic optimum temperature, and upper lethal developmental threshold obtained by Optim SSI models were 10.12, 24.15, and 36.00 °C, respectively. The study of the immature stages of N. rufipes can provide preliminary basic developmental data for the estimation of minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). However, more extensive studies are needed on the effects of constant and fluctuating temperatures on the development of N. rufipes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yu Wang
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-155-2114-3385
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Hu G, Kang C, Zhu R, Guo Y, Li L, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Wang J. A Preliminary Study of Body Decomposition and Arthropod Succession in an Arid Area in Northwest China During Summer. J Med Entomol 2023; 60:306-315. [PMID: 36478242 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The study of insect fauna and their development and succession patterns on decaying cadavers is crucial to promoting insect evidence as a useful tool in forensic science, particularly for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). Body decomposition and arthropod succession are affected by many factors and exhibit substantial regional variations; therefore, detailed succession studies in different biogeographic regions are required for understanding the successional patterns of insects in various environments. This study was conducted in the summer of 2021 using three domestic pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domestica L., 1758) in the field of Shizuishan City, Ningxia, Northwest China. A total of 40 species of necrophagous insects belonging to three orders and 16 families were collected. Among Diptera, Lucilia sericata (Meigen,1826), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius,1794), and Phormia regina (Meigen,1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were the dominant species. As for Coleoptera, the dominant species changed throughout the process of carcass decomposition from Saprinus semipunctatus (Fabricius,1792) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) to Dermestes maculatus DeGeer,1774 and Dermestes frischii Kugelann,1792 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). The carcasses desiccated rapidly and reached the remains stage under extreme conditions of high temperatures and low humidity, after which a large amount of dried tissue of the carcasses attracted populations of Coleoptera, particularly Dermstidae, which were abundant and remained until the end of the experiment on day 50. The current study is the first forensic entomological investigation of succession in Northwest China and provides basic data for the estimation of PMI during summer in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengwang Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Chengtao Kang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Shizuishan Public Security Bureau, Criminal Police Branch, Shengli East Road, Shizuishan 753099, China
| | - Yi Guo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Liangliang Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yinghui Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jiangfeng Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
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Wu H, Liu FF, Wu JD, Xie Y. Research Progress on Estimation of Postmortem Interval Based on Ocular Tissues Structure. Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi 2023; 39:50-56. [PMID: 37038856 DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.410602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the important research contents in forensic pathology, and it has always been the focus and hot spot of research work. In recent years, scholars at home and abroad have made some research progress in estimating PMI by using ocular tissue. After death, the changes of cornea, aqueous humor, iris, lens, vitreous humor and retina all show time sequence change rule highly related to PMI. This paper reviews the research progress of PMI estimation based on the morphological, biochemical, molecular and genetic material changes of different ocular tissue structures after death, and discusses the existing problems and development trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan Province, China
- The Second People's Hospital of Yibin, Yibin 644000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Fang-Fang Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jun-da Wu
- Xuzhou District Branch of Yibin City Pubic Security Bureau, Yibin 644000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ying Xie
- Department of Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan Province, China
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17
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Wang S, Chen W, Shang Y, Ren L, Zhang X, Guo Y, Zhang C. High-throughput sequencing to evaluate the effects of methamphetamine on the succession of the bacterial community to estimate the postmortem interval. Forensic Sci Res 2023; 7:736-747. [PMID: 36817241 PMCID: PMC9930777 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2022.2046368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In forensic medical examinations, estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is an important factor. Methamphetamine (MA) is a synthetic stimulant that is commonly abused, and estimation of the PMI after MA abuse has become one of the main tasks in forensic investigation. Microorganisms play a vital role in carrion decomposition. Analysing the bacterial succession patterns can be used as a forensic tool to estimate the PMI. The present study aimed to analyse bacterial succession changes during the decomposition of MA to estimate the PMI. We analysed bacterial communities in rabbits treated with three different concentrations of MA (0, 22.5, and 90 mg/kg) under the natural conditions of 20 °C and 70% humidity by sequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicons using the Illumina MiSeq system. We obtained 2 374 209 high-quality sequences and 2 937 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The relative abundances of the bacterial communities varied markedly in response to different MA concentrations. Interestingly, in response to the different concentrations of MA, Bacteroidetes became disparate in the rectum in the late PMI. Increased numbers of bacterial taxa were identified in the rectum and buccal cavity samples, except at the highest concentration of MA in the rectum samples when PMI was 0-h, than were present in live rabbits. Meanwhile, the PMI correlated significantly with bacterial succession at different taxonomic levels. Our results suggested that bacterial community succession could be used as a "microbial clock" to estimate the PMI in cases of MA-related death; however, further study is required to gain a deeper understanding of this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujuan Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanjie Shang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lipin Ren
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangyan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yadong Guo
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Changquan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China,CONTACT Changquan Zhang
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Piegari G, De Pasquale V, d'Aquino I, De Biase D, Caccia G, Campobasso CP, Tafuri S, Russo V, Paciello O. Evaluation of Muscle Proteins for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval in Veterinary Forensic Pathology. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13. [PMID: 36830350 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Postmortem cadaveric changes are commonly used to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) in humans and animals. However, these modifications have been poorly investigated in animals of interest to veterinary forensic pathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of muscle proteins (desmin and dystrophin) as biomarkers for estimating the PMI in dogs. For this study, 10 dead adult dogs were evaluated for 4 days in a temperature-controlled room at 19 ± 1 °C. For each animal, at 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after death, a 1 × 1 × 1 cm cube of muscle tissue was removed from the vastus lateralis and triceps brachii. Protein expression levels were analyzed by immunohistochemical examination and immunoblot analysis. The obtained results showed rapid dystrophin degradation, with complete disappearance at 72 h after death. In contrast, desmin-positive fibers and desmin protein bands detected by immunoblot were observed on all 4 days of observation. Our findings suggest the potential use of muscle proteins as biomarkers for estimating the PMI in dogs.
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Garrison SJ, Mouttham L, Castelhano MG. Banking on the Last Gift: Cornell's Signature Program of Postmortem Tissue Procurement. Biopreserv Biobank 2023; 21:46-55. [PMID: 35930257 PMCID: PMC9963475 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2021.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High-quality, well-annotated, healthy tissue specimens are crucial to the success of basic and translational research, but often difficult to procure. Postmortem (PM) tissue collections provide the opportunity to collect these healthy biospecimens. PM procurement programs led by biobanks can further contribute by providing researchers with rare biospecimens collected with short postmortem intervals (PMI) in controlled environments. To support biomedical and translational research, the Cornell Veterinary Biobank (CVB), an ISO 20387 accredited core resource at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, has performed PM tissue collections from research and privately owned animals since 2013. The CVB PM collection team, consisting of a board-certified veterinary pathologist, a licensed veterinary technician collection specialist, and a data capture specialist, performs rapid tissue collections during controlled warm necropsies, with an accepted PMI of ≤2 hours and a target PMI of ≤1 hour. A retrospective analysis of PM collections between 2013 and 2020 was completed, consisting of 4077 aliquots of 1582 biospecimens from 69 donors (48 canine, 16 feline, and 5 equine). An average of 22.93 biospecimens per donor were collected (range: 1-49). The average PMI for standard collections was 43.48 ± 2.30 minutes, starting on average 20.81 ± 1.61 minutes after time of death. Thus far, the CVB has a favorable utilization rate, with 414 aliquots (10.15%) from 350 specimens (20.12%) and 45 animals (65.22%) distributed to researchers. The success of the CVB PM tissue biobanking program, collecting high-quality biospecimens with short PMIs, was due to support from veterinary pathologists, the competence of CVB personnel, and the continuous evolution of methods within a quality management system. Improvement of PM tissue collection programs in biobanks, with standardized practices for all processes and specialized personnel, can enhance the quality and increase utilization of its biospecimens and associated data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J. Garrison
- Cornell Veterinary Biobank, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Lara Mouttham
- Cornell Veterinary Biobank, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Marta G. Castelhano
- Cornell Veterinary Biobank, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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20
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Vavilov AY, Belykh SA, Shved EF. [Mathematical simulation of the corpse's temperature change during exposure of a direct solar radiation to diagnose a postmortem interval]. Sud Med Ekspert 2023; 66:18-23. [PMID: 38093424 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20236606118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To choose an optimal mathematical model and to practice the method of its use during finding the corpse under exposure of a direct solar radiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The studies were carried out on 9 corpses with body weight from 50 to 83 kg. The influence of black (6 corpses) and white (3 corpses) colored cotton fabrics was investigated to standardize a photoreceptive surface of clothes. In addition, the objects (bags made of substantial polyethylene, densely filled with moderately humid black soil) replacing corpses with mass of 5.5, 11.0, 16.5 and 22.0 kg, wrapped in cotton fabric of specified colors, that imitates clothes, were used. The objects' temperature was measured within the accuracy of 0.001 °C, air temperature - within accuracy of 0.1 °C. A simplified one-dimensional variant of the finite mathematical differences method, representing the process of corpse's cooling as a discrete transfer of heat from one layer (node) to another, was used in developing the mathematical modeling algorithm. The model consisted of ten nodes was used in calculations. RESULTS A mathematical model in the form of equations' system was developed, in which the variable reflecting the intensity of corpse's surface heating by sun rays was introduced. The example of calculation made with data of real measurements of corpse's temperature, that was in open place for the sun rays, is shown.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S A Belykh
- Izhevsk State Medical Academy, Izhevsk, Russia
| | - E F Shved
- «Sudmedexpert» Expert Consulting Bureau, Chelyabinsk, Russia
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21
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Shchegolev AI, Tumanova UN, Savva OV. [Characteristics of histochemical, molecular genetic and radiation-induced liver changes depending on the postmortem interval]. Sud Med Ekspert 2023; 66:59-63. [PMID: 37192462 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20236603159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze literature data on postmortem changes in the liver and their use in determination of postmortem interval. Biological death expectedly causes the development of postmortem disorders not only in the liver structure, but also changes in its biochemical and histochemical parameters. Literature data about changes of histochemical, immunohistochemical and biomolecular characteristics of liver tissue, as well as bacterial migration to the liver depending on the duration of postmortem period, are presented. The effectiveness of radiology for visualization of postmortem changes and, accordingly, for determining the postmortem interval is noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Shchegolev
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - U N Tumanova
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Savva
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
- Bureau of Forensic Medicine named after D.I. Mastbaum, Ryazan, Russia
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22
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Li W, Xing Y, Gan L, Peng W, Deng S. Exploring the value of microorganisms in the appendix for inferring postmortem interval in Sprague-Dawley rats using high-throughput sequencing. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:163-175. [PMID: 36440674 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Various microorganisms play an important role in daily functions in the body and continue to flourish after death. Our prior investigation using frozen cadavers revealed that the appendix, rather than the transverse colon, was a superior sampling site for intestinal bacteria because the appendiceal flora had higher diversity than that in the transverse colon in the majority of experimental periods after death. We sought to explore out more about whether the appendicular flora is significantly related to postmortem interval (PMI) at natural temperatures following the host's death. In this work, we employed high-throughput sequencing to evaluate the contents of rats' appendices within 2 weeks after death and then utilized the random forest algorithm to build a PMI prediction model after completing basic visual analyses on the sequencing data. The findings revealed that Firmicutes was the absolute dominant species of appendicular flora; alpha-diversity of appendix flora first increased and then decreased, with the highest point appearing at 36 h after death; and the primary metabolic functions were carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, as well as cofactors and vitamin metabolism. Finally, a random forest regression model for PMI prediction was built by the training data at the family level, with the mean absolute error of 10.27 h for prediction within 14 days postmortem, and the test set data subsequently proved the model's reliability. Changes in appendicular flora were strongly related to the PMI following rats' deaths, so we have reason to believe that the appendicular flora is valuable in predicting PMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihan Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Xing
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Gan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenli Peng
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shixiong Deng
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Bonicelli A, Mickleburgh HL, Chighine A, Locci E, Wescott DJ, Procopio N. The 'ForensOMICS' approach for postmortem interval estimation from human bone by integrating metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics. eLife 2022; 11:e83658. [PMID: 36583441 PMCID: PMC9803353 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The combined use of multiple omics allows to study complex interrelated biological processes in their entirety. We applied a combination of metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics to human bones to investigate their combined potential to estimate time elapsed since death (i.e., the postmortem interval [PMI]). This 'ForensOMICS' approach has the potential to improve accuracy and precision of PMI estimation of skeletonized human remains, thereby helping forensic investigators to establish the timeline of events surrounding death. Anterior midshaft tibial bone was collected from four female body donors before their placement at the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility owned by the Forensic Anthropological Center at Texas State (FACTS). Bone samples were again collected at selected PMIs (219-790-834-872days). Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to obtain untargeted metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic profiles from the pre- and post-placement bone samples. The three omics blocks were investigated independently by univariate and multivariate analyses, followed by Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery using Latent variable approaches for Omics studies (DIABLO), to identify the reduced number of markers describing postmortem changes and discriminating the individuals based on their PMI. The resulting model showed that pre-placement metabolome, lipidome and proteome profiles were clearly distinguishable from post-placement ones. Metabolites in the pre-placement samples suggested an extinction of the energetic metabolism and a switch towards another source of fuelling (e.g., structural proteins). We were able to identify certain biomolecules with an excellent potential for PMI estimation, predominantly the biomolecules from the metabolomics block. Our findings suggest that, by targeting a combination of compounds with different postmortem stability, in the future we could be able to estimate both short PMIs, by using metabolites and lipids, and longer PMIs, by using proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bonicelli
- The Forensic Science Unit, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
| | - Hayley L Mickleburgh
- Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (ACASA) – Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
- Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State UniversitySan MarcosUnited States
| | - Alberto Chighine
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of CagliariMonserratoItaly
| | - Emanuela Locci
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of CagliariMonserratoItaly
| | - Daniel J Wescott
- Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State UniversitySan MarcosUnited States
| | - Noemi Procopio
- The Forensic Science Unit, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
- Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State UniversitySan MarcosUnited States
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24
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Yang L, Wang X, Niu Y. Research Progress of DNA-Based Technologies for Postmortem Interval Estimation. Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi 2022; 38:747-753. [PMID: 36914391 DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.420601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
In criminal investigations, postmortem interval (PMI) is important information to be inferred in homicide investigations, as well as the focus and the difficulty in forensic pathology research. Because the DNA content in different tissues is relatively constant and shows changes regularly with the extension of PMI, it has become a research hotspot of PMI estimation. This paper reviews the recent progress of PMI estimation technologies including DNA-based single cell gel electrophoresis, image analysis, flow cytometry, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing, hoping to provide references for forensic medicine practice and scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Criminal Investigation Detachment of Huaibei Public Security Bureau, Huaibei 235000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yong Niu
- Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100006, China
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Cui C, Song Y, Mao D, Cao Y, Qiu B, Gui P, Wang H, Zhao X, Huang Z, Sun L, Zhong Z. Predicting the Postmortem Interval Based on Gravesoil Microbiome Data and a Random Forest Model. Microorganisms 2022; 11:microorganisms11010056. [PMID: 36677348 PMCID: PMC9860995 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The estimation of a postmortem interval (PMI) is particularly important for forensic investigations. The aim of this study was to assess the succession of bacterial communities associated with the decomposition of mouse cadavers and determine the most important biomarker taxa for estimating PMIs. High-throughput sequencing was used to investigate the bacterial communities of gravesoil samples with different PMIs, and a random forest model was used to identify biomarker taxa. Redundancy analysis was used to determine the significance of environmental factors that were related to bacterial communities. Our data showed that the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes showed an increasing trend during decomposition, but that of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi decreased. At the genus level, Pseudomonas was the most abundant bacterial group, showing a trend similar to that of Proteobacteria. Soil temperature, total nitrogen, NH4+-N and NO3--N levels were significantly related to the relative abundance of bacterial communities. Random forest models could predict PMIs with a mean absolute error of 1.27 days within 36 days of decomposition and identified 18 important biomarker taxa, such as Sphingobacterium, Solirubrobacter and Pseudomonas. Our results highlighted that microbiome data combined with machine learning algorithms could provide accurate models for predicting PMIs in forensic science and provide a better understanding of decomposition processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Cui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- College of Resource and Environment, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yang Song
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Dongmei Mao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yajun Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Bowen Qiu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Peng Gui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xingchun Zhao
- Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100038, China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100038, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (Z.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Zhi Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (Z.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Liqiong Sun
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (Z.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Zengtao Zhong
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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Szeremeta M, Samczuk P, Pietrowska K, Kowalczyk T, Przeslaw K, Sieminska J, Kretowski A, Niemcunowicz-Janica A, Ciborowski M. In Vitro Animal Model for Estimating the Time since Death with Attention to Early Postmortem Stage. Metabolites 2022; 13:metabo13010026. [PMID: 36676951 PMCID: PMC9861157 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) has remained the subject of investigations in forensic medicine for many years. Every kind of death results in changes in metabolites in body tissues and fluids due to lack of oxygen, altered circulation, enzymatic reactions, cellular degradation, and cessation of anabolic production of metabolites. Metabolic changes may provide markers determining the time since death, which is challenging in current analytical and observation-based methods. The study includes metabolomics analysis of blood with the use of an animal model to determine the biochemical changes following death. LC-MS is used to fingerprint postmortem porcine blood. Metabolites, significantly changing in blood after death, are selected and identified using univariate statistics. Fifty-one significant metabolites are found to help estimate the time since death in the early postmortem stage. Hypoxanthine, lactic acid, histidine, and lysophosphatidic acids are found as the most promising markers in estimating an early postmortem stage. Selected lysophosphatidylcholines are also found as significantly increased in blood with postmortal time, but their practical utility as PMI indicators can be limited due to a relatively low increasing rate. The findings demonstrate the great potential of LC-MS-based metabolomics in determining the PMI due to sudden death and provide an experimental basis for applying this attitude in investigating various mechanisms of death. As we assume, our study is also one of the first in which the porcine animal model is used to establish PMI metabolomics biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Szeremeta
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Paulina Samczuk
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Center, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Karolina Pietrowska
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Center, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kowalczyk
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Center, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Przeslaw
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-328 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Julia Sieminska
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Center, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Adam Kretowski
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Center, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Michal Ciborowski
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Center, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
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Kökdener M, Gündüz NEA, Zeybekoğlu Ü, Aykut U, Yılmaz AF. The Effect of Different Heavy Metals on the Development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Med Entomol 2022; 59:1928-1935. [PMID: 36166585 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the impacts of three different heavy metals at different concentrations on some life-history traits of Lucilia sericata (Meigen 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). First-instar larvae of L. sericata were reared on a diet containing four concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 1, and 2 µg/g) of the heavy metals (cadmium, zinc copper). The parameters measured were larval and pupal mortality, larval length, adult, pupal, and larval weight, and development time. Larval and pupal survival decreased as heavy metal concentrations increased. Pupal weight was significantly different among heavy metals andc oncentrations, but the adult weight was not significantly different among heavy metals and concentrations. The larval length was significantly different among concentrations and heavy metals. This study reveals that the presence of heavy metal in carrion or the carrion environment should be inconsidered when estimating the time of colonization in forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meltem Kökdener
- Ondokuz Mayıs University, Health Science Faculty, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
- Ondokuz Mayıs University, Graduate Education Institute, Forensic Science Program, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
| | | | - Ünal Zeybekoğlu
- Ondokuz Mayıs University, Science Faculty, Biology Department, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Umut Aykut
- Ondokuz Mayıs University, Health Science Faculty, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Fazıl Yılmaz
- Ondokuz Mayıs University, Graduate Education Institute, Forensic Science Program, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
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Ali MM, Ibrahim SF, Elrewieny NM, Elyamany AM, Khalil WKB, Shalby AB, Khater SA. Estimation of Early Postmortem Interval from Long Noncoding RNA Gene Expression in the Incised Cutaneous Wound: An Experimental Study. Biomedicines 2022; 10. [PMID: 36428487 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The assessment of alteration of postmortem RNA expression has forensic significance in estimating postmortem interval. To evaluate wound healing progression and the effect of different postmortem intervals, histopathological changes, immunohistochemical matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, and long noncoding fatty acid oxidation (lncFAO), RNA expression was assessed in the incised cutaneous wound model. A full-thickness cutaneous wound was inflicted on 75 rats. All 15 rats were sacrificed at different post-infliction intervals (0, 2, 4, 8 and 10 days), and the cutaneous wounds (n = 5) were excised at different postmortem intervals (0, 5, and 24 h after euthanasia). The maximal inflammatory healing stage was detected at day 4 post-infliction, while near complete healing, thick mature collagen deposition was detected at day 10 post-infliction. LncFAO expression was significantly over-expressed with increasing wound age. MMP-9 was detectable on injury day with continuous elevation until 8 days post-wounding, which later decreased. Although histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations within 24 h postmortem did not show any remarkable changes, lncFAO RNA expression showed a significant negative correlation with hours passed since death. The combined use of histopathological changes, immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9, and molecular expression of lncFAO could be appropriate in wound dating verification. Among these factors, lncFAO could be a reliable indicator in postmortem interval estimation.
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Pardo-Seco J, Bello X, Gómez-Carballa A, Martinón-Torres F, Muñoz-Barús JI, Salas A. A Timeframe for SARS-CoV-2 Genomes: A Proof of Concept for Postmortem Interval Estimations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12899. [PMID: 36361690 PMCID: PMC9656715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Establishing the timeframe when a particular virus was circulating in a population could be useful in several areas of biomedical research, including microbiology and legal medicine. Using simulations, we demonstrate that the circulation timeframe of an unknown SARS-CoV-2 genome in a population (hereafter, estimated time of a queried genome [QG]; tE-QG) can be easily predicted using a phylogenetic model based on a robust reference genome database of the virus, and information on their sampling dates. We evaluate several phylogeny-based approaches, including modeling evolutionary (substitution) rates of the SARS-CoV-2 genome (~10-3 substitutions/nucleotide/year) and the mutational (substitutions) differences separating the QGs from the reference genomes (RGs) in the database. Owing to the mutational characteristics of the virus, the present Viral Molecular Clock Dating (VMCD) method covers timeframes going backwards from about a month in the past. The method has very low errors associated to the tE-QG estimates and narrow intervals of tE-QG, both ranging from a few days to a few weeks regardless of the mathematical model used. The SARS-CoV-2 model represents a proof of concept that can be extrapolated to any other microorganism, provided that a robust genome sequence database is available. Besides obvious applications in epidemiology and microbiology investigations, there are several contexts in forensic casework where estimating tE-QG could be useful, including estimation of the postmortem intervals (PMI) and the dating of samples stored in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobo Pardo-Seco
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Xabier Bello
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Gómez-Carballa
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - José Ignacio Muñoz-Barús
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Pathology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Institute of Forensic Sciences (INCIFOR), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Antonio Salas
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
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Xi YR, Liu YX, Feng N, Gu Z, Sun JH, Cao J, Jin QQ, DU QX. Application of Linear Regression Model of Gpnmb Gene in Rat Injury Time Estimation. Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi 2022; 38:468-472. [PMID: 36426689 DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.400907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of injury time, postmortem interval (PMI) and postmortem storage temperature on mRNA expression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (Gpnmb), and to establish a linear regression model between Gpnmb mRNA expression and injury time, to provide aimed at providing potential indexes for injury time estimation. METHODS Test group SD rats were anesthetized and subjected to blunt contusion and randomly divided into 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 16 h, 20 h and 24 h groups after injury, with 18 rats in each group. After cervical dislocation, 6 rats in each group were collected and stored at 0 ℃, 16 ℃ and 26 ℃, respectively. The muscle tissue samples of quadriceps femoris injury were collected at 0 h, 12 h and 24 h postmortem at the same temperature. The grouping method and treatment method of the rats in the validation group were the same as above. The expression of Gpnmb mRNA in rat skeletal muscle was detected by RT-qPCR. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between Gpnmb mRNA expression and injury time, PMI, and postmortem storage temperature. SPSS 25.0 software was used to construct a linear regression model, and the validation group data was used for the back-substitution test. RESULTS The expression of Gpnmb mRNA continued to increase with the prolongation of injury time, and the expression level was highly correlated with injury time (P<0.05), but had little correlation with PMI and postmortem storage temperature (P>0.05). The linear regression equation between injury time (y) and Gpnmb mRNA relative expression (x) was y=0.611 x+4.489. The back-substitution test proved that the prediction of the model was accurate. CONCLUSIONS The expression of Gpnmb mRNA is almost not affected by the PMI and postmortem storage temperature, but is mainly related to the time of injury. Therefore, a linear regression model can be established to infer the time of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ru Xi
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yuan-Xin Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Na Feng
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Jun-Hong Sun
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Jie Cao
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Qian-Qian Jin
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Qiu-Xiang DU
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
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Meng F, Han H, Wang M, Jiang Y, Pi Z, Qu Y, Liu Z, Cai J. Characterized Gene Repertoires and Functional Gene Reference for Forensic Entomology: Genomic and Developmental Transcriptomic Analysis of Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Med Entomol 2022; 59:810-819. [PMID: 35139213 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Many flies of Diptera are common entomological evidence employed in forensic investigation. Exploring the existence of inter- and intra-species genomic differences of forensically relevant insects is of great importance. Aldrichina grahami is a common blow fly species of forensic importance. The present study characterized the gene repertoires of A. grahami, and provides insights into issues related to forensic entomology, such as necrophagous behavior, gene family features, and developmental patterns. Gene families were clustered and classified according to their function in different aspects of the necrophagous lifestyle, generating several gene repertoires. The genes under positive selection pressure and evolutionary changes were screen and identified. Moreover, genes that exhibited potential prediction value in the post mortem interval (PMI) estimation and development of immature stages were subjected to analysis based on the developmental transcriptome. Related insect species were compared at the genomic level to reveal the genes associated with necrophagous behaviors. The expression of selected genes in separated repositories was verified using qPCR. This work was conducted using a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of A. grahami and its developmental transcriptome. The findings will facilitate future research on A. grahami and the other forensically important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanming Meng
- School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Han Han
- School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mo Wang
- Key Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan, Faculty of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Yangshuai Jiang
- School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiyun Pi
- School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yihong Qu
- School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuoying Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jifeng Cai
- School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Madeira-Ott T, Souza CM, Bunde PRS, Ries ACR, Blochtein B, Thyssen PJ. Forensically Relevant Flesh Flies (Diptera, Sarcophagidae, Sarcophaginae) of Southern Brazil. J Med Entomol 2022; 59:488-507. [PMID: 34999828 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Flesh flies comprise a large fly family distributed worldwide that has great importance for forensic entomology. A robust and updated checklist of Sarcophaginae flies recorded in Southern Brazil is presented, based on material collected in the Rio Grande do Sul state and on a literature review. The forensic importance (high, moderate, or none) of the recorded flesh flies for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) or inferring cases of neglect was determined based on their ecological habits. A total of 2,831 specimens representing 38 taxa were collected from three studies. Oxysarcodexia was the most abundant and species-rich genus in all three studies. Dexosarcophaga carvalhoi (Lopes) was registered for the first time in Southern Brazil. The checklist for Southern Brazil comprises 91 species distributed in 19 genera, with Oxysarcodexia, Peckia, and Lepidodexia representing the richest genera. Considering the importance of species for PMI estimation, 10, 42, and 39 species were classified as having high, moderate, or no forensic relevance, respectively. Moreover, five myiasis-causing sarcophagine flies recorded in Southern Brazil were considered to have the potential to reveal cases of neglect or mistreatment. This study revealed that Microcerella halli (Engel) and Peckia (Euboettcheria) australis (Townsend) are the most important species for PMI estimation in Southern Brazil, as they are often found breeding in corpses in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tais Madeira-Ott
- Laboratory of Integrative Entomology, Department of Animal Biology, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PC 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carina M Souza
- Faculty of Human Talents, FACTHUS, Campus I, Ecossistema UniBrasília, PC 38040-240, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo R S Bunde
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, UFPel, PC 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana C R Ries
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, PC 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Betina Blochtein
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, PC 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Patricia J Thyssen
- Laboratory of Integrative Entomology, Department of Animal Biology, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PC 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Carneiro LT, Azevedo WTA, Aguiar VM, Couri MS. Examination of Nocturnal Oviposition by Chrysomya putoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil. J Med Entomol 2022; 59:480-487. [PMID: 35293581 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study in Brazil that monitored the nocturnal oviposition behavior of Chrysomya putoria, a species of forensic importance, in order to verify if individuals of this species oviposit at night. Groups of 10 flies (5 male and 5 female) distributed in ten cages were kept in a fume hood and submitted to total darkness or exposed to artificial light for eleven consecutive hours through four experimental conditions in the laboratory. Two verifications were made to see if the females oviposited in the offered substrate of about 20 g of chicken gizzard per cage. Verification 1 occurred at 09:00 pm in the evening experiments and at 09:00 am in the daytime experiments. Verification 2 occurred at 05:00 am in the night experiments and at 05:00 pm in the daytime experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. C. putoria laid eggs at night (with or without light) and the quantity of eggs was significantly similar to those produced during the day under natural light or in total darkness. Only the amount of eggs produced during the day in the absence of light was considerably greater than in the typical daytime period. The females oviposited in greater quantity in the nights when the average temperature was between 23 and 24.8°C and relative humidity above 81%. Ovipositions only occurred at temperatures above 21°C and humidity above 56% during the day. Finally, it is necessary that more evaluations on the effect of variables on blowfly behavior are performed to better understand nocturnal oviposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- L T Carneiro
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - W T A Azevedo
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - V M Aguiar
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M S Couri
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Wang Y, Hou Y, Wang M, Wang Y, Xu W, Zhang Y, Wang J. Intrapuparial Development and Age Estimation of Calliphora grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae) for Postmortem Interval Estimation. J Med Entomol 2022; 59:454-466. [PMID: 35048986 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Calliphora grahami (Aldrich, 1930) (Diptera: calliphoridae) is a forensically important blow fly that is widely distributed across Asia, North America, Russia, and Mexico. Calliphora grahami is frequently found on corpses during the spring, autumn, and winter seasons. It is among the early colonizers of cadavers during the cold season, and sometimes, the only necrophagous blow fly on cadavers. Therefore, this species is of forensic significance, although very few studies have explored the application of its intrapuparial age for PMI estimation. This study aimed to examine the intrapuparial development of C. grahami and establish a method for estimating its intrapuparial age. Herein, the C. grahami puparia were studied under six different temperatures (13, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28°C) for the intrapuparial age estimation, and a total of 5776 puparia were sampled. The morphological changes were divided into 11 stages based on the 1) development of legs and wings, 2) differentiation of the head, thorax, and abdomen, 3) growth and color of the bristles, and 4) color changes of the compound eyes. The corresponding time of each stage was determined. Moreover, the observation and classification of individual morphological features, including compound eyes, antennae, mouthparts, thorax, abdomen, legs, and wings was used to improve the precision of intrapuparial age estimation. The findings of this study provide important information on the use of C. grahami intrapuparia to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Yiding Hou
- Criminal Police Branch, Suzhou Public Security Bureau, Renmin Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Man Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Wang Xu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiangfeng Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou, China
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Sidorova NA, Tolmachev IA, Lavrukova OS. [Ecological aspects of postmortem microbiome and possibility of their use in forensic practice]. Sud Med Ekspert 2022; 65:41-45. [PMID: 35142470 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20226501141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Through experimental reproduction of the decomposition process using the cadaver of rabbit Oryctolagus sp., the dynamics of cadaver microflora was studied; the dominant bacterial taxa were isolated in pure culture and identified; their ecological and trophic profiles and biodiversity were described based on the values of Simpson and Menchinic ecological indices. The dependence of cadaver rotting and skeletonization rate on the taxonomic profile of microorganisms, decomposition period, and abiotic environmental factors (temperature, acidity, soil moisture) was demonstrated. The data obtained contribute to justifying the use of microbiological methods in forensic practice. To establish objective causality patterns of microbial transformation of organic matter in nature, further targeted study of ecological patterns of cadaveric microflora is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Sidorova
- Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, Russia
| | - I A Tolmachev
- Military Medical Academy named after S. M. Kirov, St. Petersburg, Russia
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36
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Wang Y, Wang M, Xu W, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang J. Estimating the Postmortem Interval of Carcasses in the Water Using the Carrion Insect, Brain Tissue RNA, Bacterial Biofilm, and Algae. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:774276. [PMID: 35058896 PMCID: PMC8765475 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.774276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The accurate estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial in the investigation of homicide cases. Unlike carcasses on land, various biological and abiotic factors affect the decomposition of carcasses in water. In addition, the insect evidence (e.g., blow flies) that is commonly used to estimate the PMI are unavailable before the carcasses float on water. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the PMI of a carcass in water. This study aimed to explore an effective way of estimating the PMI of a carcass in water. Carrion insects, brain tissue RNA, bacterial biofilm on the skin surface, and algae in water with PMI were studied using 45 rat carcasses in a small river. The results showed that carrion insects might not be suitable for the estimation of PMI of a carcass in water since they do not have a regular succession pattern as a carcass on land, and the flies only colonized six of the carcasses. The target genes (β-actin, GAPDH, and 18S) in the brain tissue were associated with the PMI in a time-dependent manner within 1 week after death. A polynomial regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the gene expression profiles and PMI. The correlation coefficient R2 of each regression equation was ≥ 0.924. A third-generation sequencing analysis showed that the bacteria on the skin surface of the carcass and the algae in the water samples around the carcass had a regular succession pattern, where Cryptomonas and Placoneis incased and decreased, respectively, within first 9 days. The results of this study provide a promising way to use the brain tissue RNA, bacterial biofilm, and algae to estimate the PMI of a carcass in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Man Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wang Xu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yinghui Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiangfeng Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Zhang X, Shang Y, Ren L, Qu H, Zhu G, Guo Y. A Study of Cuticular Hydrocarbons of All Life Stages in Sarcophaga peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). J Med Entomol 2022; 59:108-119. [PMID: 34668022 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Sarcophaga peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), a synanthropic flesh fly species found in different parts of the world, is of medical and forensic importance. Traditional methods of inferring developmental age rely on the life stage of insects and morphological changes. However, once the larvae reach the pupal and adult stage, morphological changes would become barely visible, so that the classic method would be invalid. Here, we studied the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of S. peregrina of the whole life cycle from larval stage to adult stage by GC-MS. Sixty-three compounds with carbon chain length ranging from 8 to 36 were detected, which could be categorized into four classes: n-alkanes, branched alkanes, alkenes, and unknowns. As developmental increased, branched alkanes dominant, and the content of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons is variable, especially for 2-methyl C19, DiMethyl C21, docosane (C22), and tricosane (C23). This study shows that the composition of CHC could be used to determine the developmental age of S. peregrina and aid in postmortem interval estimations in forensic science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanjie Shang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lipin Ren
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongke Qu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guanghui Zhu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Yadong Guo
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Dawa J, Walong E, Onyango C, Mathaiya J, Muturi P, Bunei M, Ochieng W, Barake W, Seixas JN, Mayieka L, Ochieng M, Omballa V, Lidechi S, Hunsperger E, Otieno NA, Ritter JM, Widdowson MA, Diaz MH, Winchell JM, Martines RB, Zaki SR, Chaves SS. Effect of Time Since Death on Multipathogen Molecular Test Results of Postmortem Specimens Collected Using Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling Techniques. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:S360-S367. [PMID: 34910183 PMCID: PMC8672767 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We used postmortem minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) to assess the effect of time since death on molecular detection of pathogens among respiratory illness–associated deaths. Methods Samples were collected from 20 deceased children (aged 1–59 months) hospitalized with respiratory illness from May 2018 through February 2019. Serial lung and/or liver and blood samples were collected using MITS starting soon after death and every 6 hours thereafter for up to 72 hours. Bodies were stored in the mortuary refrigerator for the duration of the study. All specimens were analyzed using customized multipathogen TaqMan® array cards (TACs). Results We identified a median of 3 pathogens in each child’s lung tissue (range, 1–8; n = 20), 3 pathogens in each child’s liver tissue (range, 1–4; n = 5), and 2 pathogens in each child’s blood specimen (range, 0–4; n = 5). Pathogens were not consistently detected across all collection time points; there was no association between postmortem interval and the number of pathogens detected (P = .43) and no change in TAC cycle threshold value over time for pathogens detected in lung tissue. Human ribonucleoprotein values indicated that specimens collected were suitable for testing throughout the study period. Conclusions Results suggest that lung, liver, and blood specimens can be collected using MITS procedures up to 4 days after death in adequately preserved bodies. However, inconsistent pathogen detection in samples needs careful consideration before drawing definitive conclusions on the etiologic causes of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Dawa
- Washington State University, Global Health Programs (Kenya Office), Nairobi, Kenya.,College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edwin Walong
- College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Clayton Onyango
- Division of Global Health Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Mathaiya
- Department of Pathology, Thika Level 5 Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya
| | - Peter Muturi
- Washington State University, Global Health Programs (Kenya Office), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Milka Bunei
- Washington State University, Global Health Programs (Kenya Office), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Walter Barake
- College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Josilene N Seixas
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lillian Mayieka
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Melvin Ochieng
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Victor Omballa
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Shirley Lidechi
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth Hunsperger
- Division of Global Health Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nancy A Otieno
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jana M Ritter
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marc-Alain Widdowson
- Division of Global Health Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maureen H Diaz
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jonas M Winchell
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Roosecelis B Martines
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sherif R Zaki
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sandra S Chaves
- Influenza Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
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Wang Y, Gong Q, Liu ZJ, Wang M, Xu W, Wang YH, Wang JF. Research Progress on Developmental Biology of Sarcosaprophagous Insects. Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi 2021; 37:673-682. [PMID: 35187920 DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.401216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Forensic entomology provides a feasible way to estimate postmortem interval (PMI), of which the growth and development of sarcosaprophagous insects is the most widely used indicator in forensic practice. Over the years, forensic entomologists have carried out a large number of studies on the development biology of sarcosaprophagous insects. This paper illustrates the main factors that affect the development of sarcosaprophagous insects, including temperature, humidity, light, food types and poisons. The development indicators of sarcosaprophagous insects were reviewed from the perspectives of morphology, differential gene expression and biochemical characteristics. It is emphasized that future research of development biology on sarcosaprophagous insects should fully absorb and integrate the methods of artificial intelligence and omics, and the research object also needs further expansion in order to establish a more objective and more accurate PMI estimation method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qiang Gong
- Criminal Police Department of Chongqing Public Security Bureau, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Zhen-Jiang Liu
- Criminal Police Department of Chongqing Public Security Bureau, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Man Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wang Xu
- Department of Forensic Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ying-Hui Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu Province, China
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40
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Dawson BM, Barton PS, Wallman JF. Field succession studies and casework can help to identify forensically useful Diptera. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:2319-2328. [PMID: 34553375 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fly development rates, and to a lesser extent succession data, can be used to provide an estimate of a minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Yet, these data are most useful when a full account of species' ecology, seasonality, and distribution is known. We conducted succession experiments on human cadavers over different seasons near Sydney, Australia, to document forensically useful information, including the pre-appearance interval for carrion flies. We also compiled a detailed record of flies identified in casework collected in 156 cases distributed across New South Wales, Australia. We then compared the occurrence of fly species from both field and casework datasets to identify any consistencies or gaps to determine how useful species might be for forensic investigations. In the field experiments, we found differences in species diversity and abundance between seasons, as well as yearly variation between two winter seasons. Most fly species we recorded ovipositing showed a 2- or 3-day delay between adult arrival and oviposition in summer, with a longer delay in winter. Species that were previously encountered in casework, such as Calliphora augur (Fabricius, 1775) and Calliphora ochracea Schiner, 1868, were confirmed as forensically useful, with their colonization behavior and seasonal preferences documented here. Although not encountered in casework, we confirmed Hemipyrellia fergusoni Patton, 1925 as a primary colonizer of human cadavers. Our study emphasizes the need to link field and casework data for a complete understanding of all aspects of a carrion fly's ecology to assist forensic investigators in mPMI estimations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M Dawson
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- School of Science, Psychology, and Sport, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, Victoria, Australia.,Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, Victoria, Australia
| | - James F Wallman
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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41
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Cuttiford L, Pimsler ML, Heo CC, Zheng L, Karunaratne I, Trissini G, Tarone AM, Lambiase S, Cammack JA, Tomberlin JK. Evaluation of Development Datasets for Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) for Estimating the Time of Placement of Human and Swine Remains in Texas, USA. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1654-1662. [PMID: 33970239 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A basic tenet of forensic entomology is development data of an insect can be used to predict the time of colonization (TOC) by insect specimens collected from remains, and this prediction is related to the time of death and/or time of placement (TOP). However, few datasets have been evaluated to determine their accuracy or precision. The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is recognized as an insect of forensic importance. This study examined the accuracy and precision of several development datasets for the black soldier fly by estimating the TOP of five sets of human and three sets of swine remains in San Marcos and College Station, TX, respectively. Data generated from this study indicate only one of these datasets consistently (time-to-prepupae 52%; time-to-eclosion 75%) produced TOP estimations that occurred within a day of the actual TOP of the remains. It is unknown if the precolonization interval (PreCI) of this species is long, but it has been observed that the species can colonize within 6 d after death. This assumption remains untested by validation studies. Accounting for this PreCI improved accuracy for the time-to-prepupae group, but reduced accuracy in the time-to-eclosion group. The findings presented here highlight a need for detailed, forensic-based development data for the black soldier fly that can reliably and accurately be used in casework. Finally, this study outlines the need for a basic understanding of the timing of resource utilization (i.e., duration of the PreCI) for forensically relevant taxa so that reasonable corrections may be made to TOC as related to minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lue Cuttiford
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Chong Chin Heo
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Le Zheng
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Gabriele Trissini
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Aaron M Tarone
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Simonetta Lambiase
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jonathan A Cammack
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Dell'Annunziata F, Francesca M, Pepa MED, Folliero V, Luongo L, Bocelli S, Guida F, Mascolo P, Campobasso CP, Maione S, Franci G, Galdiero M. Postmortem interval assessment by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis in murine cadavers. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:707-714. [PMID: 34251733 PMCID: PMC9291851 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aims This study assessed the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry as an alternative method to identify species associated with the thanatomicrobiota and epinecrotic communities. Methods and Results The study was conducted on 10 murine cadavers, and microbiological swabs were collected from five external anatomical sites (eyes, ears, nose, mouth and rectum) and four internal organs (brain, spleen, liver, heart), during 16 and 30 days, for the thanatomicrobiota and epinecrotic communities, respectively. Our results revealed that the postmortem microbiota associated with the external cavities showed changes over time and reduced taxonomic diversity. The internal organs, initially sterile, showed signs of microbial invasion at 3 and 10 days postmortem for the liver‐spleen and heart‐brain, respectively. The postmortem microbiota was mainly dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Conclusions MALDI‐TOF is a promising method for estimating postmortem interval (PMI), associated with rapid sample handling, good reproducibility and high productivity. Significance and Impact of the Study This study investigated microbial changes during the decomposition process and proposed a simple strategy for PMI estimation. Results introducing the application of the MALDI‐TOF method in the field of forensic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Dell'Annunziata
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Martora Francesca
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Della Pepa
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Veronica Folliero
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.,IRCSS, NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Serena Bocelli
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Pasquale Mascolo
- Legal Medicine Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Carlo Pietro Campobasso
- Legal Medicine Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.,IRCSS, NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Franci
- Microbiology Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marilena Galdiero
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
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Zissler A, Stoiber W, Geissenberger J, Steinbacher P, Monticelli FC, Pittner S. Influencing Factors on Postmortem Protein Degradation for PMI Estimation: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:1146. [PMID: 34201836 PMCID: PMC8304065 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11071146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The present review provides an overview of the current research status on the effects of influencing factors on postmortem protein degradation used to estimate the PMI (postmortem interval). Focus was set on characteristics of internal and external influencing factors and the respective susceptibility and/or robustness of protein degradation. A systematic literature search up to December 2020 was conducted on the effect of influencing factors investigated in the context of postmortem protein degradation in the tissues of animals and humans using the scientific databases PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as the reference lists of eligible articles. We identified ten studies investigating a total of seven different influencing factors in degrading tissues/organs (n = 7) of humans and animals using six different methodological approaches. Although comparison of study outcomes was impeded by the high variety of investigated factors, and by high risk of bias appraisals, it was evident that the majority of the influencing factors concerned affected protein degradation, thus being able to modulate the precision of protein degradation-based PMI estimation. The results clearly highlight the need for a thorough screening for corresponding factors to enable the introduction of appropriate correction factors and exclusion criteria. This seems especially relevant for the protein degradation-based study of human PMI to increase the reliability and precision of the method and to facilitate a broader applicability in routine forensic casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Zissler
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (A.Z.); (W.S.); (J.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Walter Stoiber
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (A.Z.); (W.S.); (J.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Janine Geissenberger
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (A.Z.); (W.S.); (J.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Peter Steinbacher
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (A.Z.); (W.S.); (J.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Fabio C. Monticelli
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Stefan Pittner
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
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Wenzlow N, Neal D, Stern AW, Prakoso D, Liu JJ, Delcambre GH, Beachboard S, Long MT. Feasibility of using tissue autolysis to estimate the postmortem interval in horses. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:825-833. [PMID: 34109897 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211021865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a poorly studied field in veterinary pathology. The development of field-applicable methods is needed given that animal cruelty investigations are increasing continually. We evaluated various histologic criteria in equine brain, liver, and muscle tissue to aid the estimation of PMI in horses, which is central to forensic investigations of suspicious death. After death, autolysis proceeds predictably, depending on environmental conditions. Currently, no field-applied methods exist that accurately estimate the PMI using histology in animals or humans through quantification of autolysis. Brain, liver, and skeletal muscle from 12 freshly euthanized horses were held at 22°C and 8°C for 72 h. Tissues were sampled at T0h, T1h, T2h, T4h, T6h, T12h, T24h, T36h, T48h, T60h, and T72h. For each tissue, we quantified 5 to 7 criteria associated with autolysis, based on the percentage of microscopic field involved. Each criterion was modeled, with temperature and time as independent variables. Changes were most predictable in liver and muscle over the first 72 h postmortem. The criteria for autolysis that were present most extensively at both temperatures were hepatocyte individualization and the separation of bile duct epithelium from the basement membrane. The changes that were present next most extensively were disruption of myofiber continuity, hypereosinophilia, and loss of striation. Brain changes were highly variable. The high statistical correlation between the parameter "autolysis" and the variables "time/temperature", indicates that autolysis is progressive and predictable. Further investigation of these criteria is needed to establish histologic algorithms for PMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanny Wenzlow
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dan Neal
- Departments of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Adam W Stern
- Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dhani Prakoso
- Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Junjie J Liu
- Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Gretchen H Delcambre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Sally Beachboard
- Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maureen T Long
- Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Ashe EC, Comeau AM, Zejdlik K, O'Connell SP. Characterization of Bacterial Community Dynamics of the Human Mouth Throughout Decomposition via Metagenomic, Metatranscriptomic, and Culturing Techniques. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:689493. [PMID: 34163458 PMCID: PMC8215110 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.689493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The postmortem microbiome has recently moved to the forefront of forensic research, and many studies have focused on the idea that predictable fluctuations in decomposer communities could be used as a “microbial clock” to determine time of death. Commonly, the oral microbiome has been evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the changes in community composition throughout decomposition. We sampled the hard palates of three human donors over time to identify the prominent members of the microbiome. This study combined 16S rRNA sequencing with whole metagenomic (MetaG) and metatranscriptomic (MetaT) sequencing and culturing methodologies in an attempt to broaden current knowledge about how these postmortem microbiota change and might function throughout decomposition. In all four methods, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla, but their distributions were insufficient in separating samples based on decomposition stage or time or by donor. Better resolution was observed at the level of genus, with fresher samples from decomposition clustering away from others via principal components analysis (PCA) of the sequencing data. Key genera in driving these trends included Rothia; Lysinibacillus, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, and other Firmicutes; and yeasts including Candida and Yarrowia. The majority of cultures (89%) matched to sequences obtained from at least one of the sequencing methods, while 11 cultures were found in the same samples using all three methods. These included Acinetobacter gerneri, Comamonas terrigena, Morganella morganii, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas koreensis, Pseudomonas moraviensis, Raoutella terrigena, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Bacillus cereus, Kurthia zopfii, and Lactobacillus paracasei. MetaG and MetaT data also revealed many novel insects as likely visitors to the donors in this study, opening the door to investigating them as potential vectors of microorganisms during decomposition. The presence of cultures at specific time points in decomposition, including samples for which we have MetaT data, will yield future studies tying specific taxa to metabolic pathways involved in decomposition. Overall, we have shown that our 16S rRNA sequencing results from the human hard palate are consistent with other studies and have expanded on the range of taxa shown to be associated with human decomposition, including eukaryotes, based on additional sequencing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Ashe
- Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, United States
| | - André M Comeau
- Integrated Microbiome Resource, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Katie Zejdlik
- Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Forensic Osteology Research Station, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, United States
| | - Seán P O'Connell
- Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, United States
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Acosta X, González-Reyes AX, Corronca JA, Centeno ND. Estimation of the Postmortem Interval Through the Use of Development Time of Two South American Species of Forensic Importance of the Genus Lucilia (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1064-1073. [PMID: 33570143 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Obtaining the specific development time of each species of forensic interest is crucial for the estimation of an accurate and reliable Minimum Postmortem Interval (PMImin). In Argentina, Lucilia ochricornis (Wiedemann) and Lucilia purpurascens (Walker) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were masked under the name Lucilia cluvia (Walker) for a long time still in forensic expertise. For this reason, the objective of this work is to deepen the study of the development time of these species and utilize this relevant information in the generation of different associated methods that can be used in forensics to estimate the PMI. Immature stages of L. ochricornis and L. purpurascens were reared in a brood chamber according to the following temperature treatments: 13.4, 15.1, 22.3, and 23.6°C. The development time of each stage/state of these flies was recorded as well as the resulting accumulated degree-hours (ADH), to build isomorphen diagrams and thermal summation models for each species. The development time and ADH were different between both species and their development stages. On the other hand, the methods provided for estimating PMImin provide the forensic entomologist more tools to reach accurate and reliable estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Acosta
- Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Facultad de ciencias Naturales, Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados (IEBI), Avenida Bolivia, Salta, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT-Salta, Argentina
| | - Andrea X González-Reyes
- Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Facultad de ciencias Naturales, Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados (IEBI), Avenida Bolivia, Salta, Argentina
| | - José A Corronca
- Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Facultad de ciencias Naturales, Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados (IEBI), Avenida Bolivia, Salta, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT-Salta, Argentina
| | - Néstor D Centeno
- Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Avenida Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Alfsdotter C, Petaros A. Outdoor human decomposition in Sweden: A retrospective quantitative study of forensic-taphonomic changes and postmortem interval in terrestrial and aquatic settings. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:1348-1363. [PMID: 33951184 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a quantitative retrospective study of gross human decomposition in central and southeastern Sweden. The applicability of methods developed abroad for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation from decomposition morphology and temperature are is evaluated. Ninety-four cases were analyzed (43 terrestrial and 51 aquatic) with a median PMI of 48 days. The results revealed differences in decomposition patterns between aquatic, surface, hanging, and buried remains. While partial saponification and desiccation occurred in cases of surface remains, complete skeletonization was observed in all cases with a PMI over two years. Aquatic skeletonization was slower due to extensive saponification in cases with PMI higher than one year. Formulae for assessing accumulated degree-days (ADD) from the original methods did not fit the study material. However, a regression analysis demonstrated that 80% of decomposition variance in surface remains could be explained by ADD, suggesting that a geographically adapted equation holds promise for assessing PMI. In contrast, the model fit was poor for aquatic cases (43%). While this may be explained by problems in obtaining reliant aquatic temperature data or an insufficient scoring system, aquatic decomposition may be highly dependent on factors other than ADD alone. This study evaluates the applicability of current PMI methods on an outdoor sample from a previously unpublished region, and represents the first scientific publication of human outdoor decomposition patterns in Sweden. Suggestions for future research are provided, including that scoring methods should incorporate saponification to fit forensic taphonomy in Swedish environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Alfsdotter
- Faculty of Art and Humanities, School of Cultural Studies, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Anja Petaros
- Division of Forensic Medicine in Linköping, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
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Aiello D, Lucà F, Siciliano C, Frati P, Fineschi V, Rongo R, Napoli A. Analytical Strategy for MS-Based Thanatochemistry to Estimate Postmortem Interval. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:2607-2617. [PMID: 33905255 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c01038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An analytical strategy for a matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomic study on vitreous humor (VH) was developed, looking for statistically significant parameters correlated to death time estimation. Five incubation stages of VH, 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, at physiological pH and controlled temperature, were adopted to monitor time-dependent changes and correlate them with the postmortem interval (PMI). Using two multivariate statistical approaches, principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR), the PMI was assessed, considering the m/z values from mass spectra and the incubation time (ISt) as predictors. An independent validation set was used to evaluate the predictive capability of the models through the coefficient of determination (R2) and the root-mean-square error (RMSE). Different pre-treatments were applied to the raw mass spectra, and their performance in assessing PMI was evaluated. Based on the best outcomes in terms of both R2 and RMSE, multiplicative scatter correction combined with a logarithmic transformation was chosen. The results of PCR and PLSR based on the selected pre-treatment are encouraging because validation R2 is about 0.95 for both models. Moreover, the prediction error is 6 h for both models, when PMI is lower than 1 day. Although these results are obtained by the uncritical application of the models, they are comparable to or even better than those reported in the literature. Notwithstanding, we consider that many in situ influences, such as passive diffusion, functional loss of tissues, and advanced autolytic processes, could not get captured in vitro. However, the developed approach was optimized using VH samples and overcomes the limitations of the vast majority of methods that require validation for serum and/or urine samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Aiello
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Federica Lucà
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Carlo Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Paola Frati
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Vittorio Fineschi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Rocco Rongo
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Anna Napoli
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
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Basova L, Lindsey A, McGovern AM, Ellis RJ, Marcondes MCG. Detection of H3K4me3 Identifies NeuroHIV Signatures, Genomic Effects of Methamphetamine and Addiction Pathways in Postmortem HIV+ Brain Specimens that Are Not Amenable to Transcriptome Analysis. Viruses 2021; 13:544. [PMID: 33805201 PMCID: PMC8064323 DOI: 10.3390/v13040544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human postmortem specimens are extremely valuable resources for investigating translational hypotheses. Tissue repositories collect clinically assessed specimens from people with and without HIV, including age, viral load, treatments, substance use patterns and cognitive functions. One challenge is the limited number of specimens suitable for transcriptional studies, mainly due to poor RNA quality resulting from long postmortem intervals. We hypothesized that epigenomic signatures would be more stable than RNA for assessing global changes associated with outcomes of interest. We found that H3K27Ac or RNA Polymerase (Pol) were not consistently detected by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP), while the enhancer H3K4me3 histone modification was abundant and stable up to the 72 h postmortem. We tested our ability to use HeK4me3 in human prefrontal cortex from HIV+ individuals meeting criteria for methamphetamine use disorder or not (Meth +/-) which exhibited poor RNA quality and were not suitable for transcriptional profiling. Systems strategies that are typically used in transcriptional metadata were applied to H3K4me3 peaks revealing consistent genomic activity differences in regions where addiction and neuronal synapses pathway genes are represented, including genes of the dopaminergic system, as well as inflammatory pathways. The resulting comparisons mirrored previously observed effects of Meth on suppressing gene expression and provided insights on neurological processes affected by Meth. The results suggested that H3K4me3 detection in chromatin may reflect transcriptional patterns, thus providing opportunities for analysis of larger numbers of specimens from cases with substance use and neurological deficits. In conclusion, the detection of H3K4me3 in isolated chromatin can be an alternative to transcriptome strategies to increase the power of association using specimens with long postmortem intervals and low RNA quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Basova
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; (L.B.); (A.L.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Alexander Lindsey
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; (L.B.); (A.L.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Anne Marie McGovern
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; (L.B.); (A.L.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Ronald J. Ellis
- Departments of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA;
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LeBlanc K, Boudreau DR, Moreau G. Small Bait Traps May Not Accurately Reflect the Composition of Necrophagous Diptera Associated to Remains. Insects 2021; 12:261. [PMID: 33804635 PMCID: PMC8003588 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Small bait traps are beginning to emerge in forensic entomology as a new approach to sample early-colonizing necrophagous Diptera species while reducing the investment in time and energy in obtaining information. To test the hypothesis conveyed by the literature that these traps can be a substitute for whole carcasses, we simultaneously documented the Diptera assemblages visiting and colonizing domestic pig carcasses and small traps baited with pork liver. Results indicated that Diptera species occurrence and assemblage composition in the small bait traps and on the carcasses differed, while they were similar when comparing only the pig carcasses. These results are in agreement with the literature that examined insect colonization of other decaying substrates. Although small bait traps can be useful tools to document the communities of necrophagous Diptera in a given area, we stress that caution must be exercised when extending the data obtained by these traps to courtroom proceedings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gaétan Moreau
- Département de Biologie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada; (K.L.); (D.R.B.)
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