Forensic application of comet assay: an emerging technique

Area of Science:

• Forensic Medicine
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Accurate postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is crucial in forensic medicine, but conventional methods have limitations.
• Biological sample degradation complicates forensic investigations and can lead to inaccurate results.
• DNA fragmentation is strongly correlated with PMI, increasing as time since death progresses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the versatility and forensic applications of the comet assay technique.
• To explore the comet assay's potential for accurate early PMI estimation.
• To highlight the assay's utility in forensic investigations beyond time of death determination.

Main Methods:

• The comet assay, a sensitive and cost-effective technique for quantifying nuclear DNA fragmentation.
• Utilizing the comet assay to assess DNA fragmentation patterns in postmortem samples.
• Investigating the comet assay's ability to differentiate DNA fragmentation caused by microorganisms and environmental factors.

Main Results:

• The comet assay provides accurate and precise early PMI estimations by quantifying DNA fragmentation.
• The assay can be employed with or without repair enzymes to measure time since deposition.
• Comet assay can identify exposure to environmental chemicals and their toxic effects.

Conclusions:

• The comet assay is a versatile tool with significant potential for forensic applications.
• Its ability to measure DNA fragmentation aids in accurate PMI estimation and investigation.
• The comet assay offers a reliable method for assessing environmental toxicant exposure in forensic contexts.