Cold shock proteins CIRBP and RBM3 may indicate hypothermia death: A case report

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) and RNA binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) are both members of the cold shock protein family expressed in response to low-temperature induction. However, their usefulness in the diagnosis of fatal hypothermia in forensic has not been reported. In this study, we report the case of a female who died of fatal hypothermia. Through detailed case investigation, scene examination, autopsy testing and tissue observation, we ultimately determined that the woman died of hypothermia. We further examined the expression of CIRBP and RBM3 in the postmortem brain, heart, lung and kidney via immunohistochemistry. The high expression of CIRBP and RBM3 in the brain, lungs, and kidneys suggested the possibility of hypothermia. This study may provide new auxiliary diagnostic indicators for the diagnosis of fatal hypothermia in forensic medicine.