Ultra-early post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation based on longitudinal plasma protein dynamics in humans: A pilot...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Accurate post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation in the early hours after death is crucial but difficult with traditional methods.
• Molecular approaches using biological samples show promise for improving ultra-early PMI determination.
• Blood is an underutilized matrix for assessing immediate post-mortem changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of plasma protein biomarkers for estimating the ultra-early post-mortem interval (PMI) within 120 minutes of death.
• To evaluate time-dependent changes in specific proteins related to apoptosis, metabolism, and cellular integrity in blood after death.
• To explore the utility of a multiparametric biomarker approach for forensic applications.

Main Methods:

• A prospective longitudinal pilot study involving ten adult patients.
• Collection of peripheral venous blood samples at precise time points (0-120 minutes post-mortem).
• Quantification of twelve candidate plasma proteins using sandwich ELISA assays and analysis of longitudinal data with statistical models.

Main Results:

• Several plasma biomarkers, including Caspase-9 and pyruvate dehydrogenase E1, showed significant time-dependent changes within two hours post-mortem.
• Apoptotic and metabolic protein kinetics suggested early biological processes post-death.
• Combined proteomic profiles offered potential for discriminating between ultra-early and early PMI intervals.

Conclusions:

• Plasma-based multiparametric biomarker approaches show preliminary potential for accurate ultra-early PMI estimation.
• Molecular data may complement traditional forensic methods during the critical early post-mortem phase.
• Further large-scale studies are necessary to validate these findings.