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Estimation of the post-mortem interval using microRNA in the bones
1Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can be useful in forensic science because of their numerous characteristics, especially stability. Post-mortem interval (PMI) is crucial for death scene investigations. However, estimating PMI is challenging in cases involving significantly decomposed or destroyed bodies, such as those involving skeletonized remains. In this study, 71 bones (patella) were collected from the bodies during autopsies (PMI ranging from 1 day to 2 years). As the let-7e and miR-16 miRNAs were used as internal controls for the bone tissue in previous studies, these miRNAs were selected as targets to estimate PMI. The miRNA Ce_miR-39_1 was used as a spike-in internal control to normalize the target miRNA levels. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to correlate the expression levels of let-7e and miR-16 with increasing PMI. A negative correlation was observed between miRNA expression and increasing PMI. The expression of both let-7e and miR-16 was observed to be significantly different between group A and the other PMI groups (group A < 1 month; 1 month < group B < 3 months; 3 months < group C < 6 months; group D > 6 months). In conclusion, these data suggest that the expression level of specific miRNAs (let-7e and miR-16) in the bone tissue could be used to estimate PMI. However, more studies using long-term PMI samples are required to further corroborate these findings.
Insights
Forensic science can utilize microRNAs (miRNAs) for estimating post-mortem interval (PMI), especially in decomposed remains. This study found that specific miRNA levels in bone tissue correlate with PMI, offering a new forensic tool.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) is critical in forensic investigations.
- Current PMI estimation methods are challenging with decomposed or skeletonized remains.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exhibit stability, making them potential biomarkers in forensic science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of specific miRNAs (let-7e and miR-16) in bone tissue for estimating PMI.
- To establish a correlation between miRNA expression levels and the post-mortem interval.
Main Methods:
- Collected 71 patella bones from autopsies with PMIs ranging from 1 day to 2 years.
- Quantified expression levels of let-7e and miR-16 using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
- Utilized Ce_miR-39_1 as a spike-in internal control for normalization.
Main Results:
- A negative correlation was observed between let-7e and miR-16 expression levels and increasing PMI.
- Significant differences in miRNA expression were found between different PMI groups (A: <1 month, B: 1-3 months, C: 3-6 months, D: >6 months).
- Expression levels of let-7e and miR-16 were significantly lower in longer PMI groups.
Conclusions:
- Specific miRNA expression levels in bone tissue, particularly let-7e and miR-16, show promise for estimating PMI.
- These findings suggest miRNAs as a viable tool for PMI determination in forensic investigations.
- Further research with long-term PMI samples is recommended to validate these results.
