Forensic molecular pathology: its impacts on routine work, education and training

Area of Science:

• Forensic pathology and molecular biology.
• Application of omics sciences in death investigation.

Background:

• Forensic pathology investigates deaths, particularly violent or sudden cases, with medicolegal implications.
• Traditional methods may not reveal dynamic molecular changes during the dying process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce forensic molecular pathology as an 'advanced molecular autopsy'.
• To detail the application of omics sciences in determining cause and process of death at a molecular level.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
• Employing DNA analysis, RT-PCR for mRNA quantification, and immunohistochemistry with biochemistry.

Main Results:

• Visualizes dynamic molecular changes in the dying process undetectable by morphology.
• Identifies genetic background, gene expression dynamics, biological mediators, and metabolic deterioration.

Conclusions:

• Forensic molecular pathology provides a molecular-level understanding of death.
• Integrates omics data for dynamic assessment of cause and process of death in routine investigations.