The identification of newborns using messenger RNA profiling analysis

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Determining the physical characteristics of individuals from bloodstains is crucial for crime scene investigations.
• Biological age is a potential biometric for molecular genetic analysis.
• Age-specific gene expression patterns could differentiate tissue samples from individuals of various ages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discover novel molecular markers for age determination in forensic science.
• To develop and evaluate forensic assays for identifying newborn bloodstains based on gene expression.

Main Methods:

• Discovery of two novel isoforms of gamma hemoglobin messenger RNA (HBG1n and HBG2n).
• Design, testing, and evaluation of multiplex quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays.
• Analysis of gene expression patterns specific to newborns.

Main Results:

• Identified HBG1n and HBG2n isoforms with highly restricted expression in newborns.
• Developed and validated qRT-PCR assays for detecting these novel mRNAs.
• Demonstrated the assays' capability to identify bloodstains originating from newborns.

Conclusions:

• The novel HBG1n and HBG2n isoforms serve as reliable molecular indicators for identifying newborn bloodstains.
• The developed qRT-PCR assays offer a valuable new tool for forensic investigations, specifically for age determination at the newborn stage.