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The 'ForensOMICS' approach for postmortem interval estimation from human bone by integrating metabolomics,
Andrea Bonicelli1, Hayley L Mickleburgh2,3, Alberto Chighine4
1The Forensic Science Unit, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Elife
|December 30, 2022
Summary
Forensic anthropology research uses multi-omics (metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics) on human bones to estimate postmortem interval (PMI). This ForensOMICS approach shows potential for improving accuracy in determining time since death for skeletonized remains.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) for skeletonized human remains is crucial in forensic investigations.
- Current methods for PMI estimation have limitations in accuracy and precision, especially for advanced decomposition stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the combined potential of metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics (ForensOMICS) for improving postmortem interval estimation in human bones.
- To identify specific biomolecules indicative of postmortem changes and useful for discriminating individuals based on PMI.
Main Methods:
- Applied untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics to human tibial bone samples collected at various postmortem intervals (219-872 days).
- Utilized Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) for data acquisition.
- Employed univariate, multivariate analyses, and Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery using Latent variable approaches for Omics studies (DIABLO) for data integration and biomarker identification.
Main Results:
- Distinct metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic profiles were observed between pre- and post-placement bone samples.
- Identified specific metabolites indicating a shift in energy metabolism postmortem.
- Certain biomolecules, particularly from metabolomics, demonstrated excellent potential for PMI estimation.
Conclusions:
- The multi-omics approach (ForensOMICS) effectively distinguishes between different postmortem states and shows promise for accurate PMI estimation.
- Metabolites and lipids may be suitable for estimating shorter PMIs, while proteins could be valuable for longer PMIs due to varying postmortem stability.
- This integrated omics strategy offers a novel avenue for enhancing forensic anthropological investigations by providing more precise timelines of death.
