Dataset Information

PMI estimation through metabolomics and potassium analysis on animal vitreous humour.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI) remains a major challenge in forensic science. Most of the proposed approaches lack the reliability required to meet the rigorous forensic standards.

Objectives

We applied ¹H NMR metabolomics to estimate PMI on ovine vitreous humour comparing the results with the actual scientific gold standard, namely vitreous potassium concentrations.

Methods

Vitreous humour samples were collected in a time frame ranging from 6 to 86 h after death. Experiments were performed by using ¹H NMR metabolomics and ion capillary analysis. Data were submitted to multivariate statistical data analysis.

Results

A multivariate calibration model was built to estimate PMI based on 47 vitreous humour samples. The model was validated with an independent test set of 24 samples, obtaining a prediction error on the entire range of 6.9 h for PMI < 24 h, 7.4 h for PMI between 24 and 48 h, and 10.3 h for PMI > 48 h. Time-related modifications of the ¹H NMR vitreous metabolomic profile could predict PMI better than potassium up to 48 h after death, whilst a combination of the two is better than the single approach for higher PMI estimation.

Conclusion

The present study, although in a proof-of-concept animal model, shows that vitreous metabolomics can be a powerful tool to predict PMI providing a more accurate estimation compared to the widely studied approach based on vitreous potassium concentrations.

SUBMITTER: Locci E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10085955 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

PMI estimation through metabolomics and potassium analysis on animal vitreous humour.

Locci Emanuela E Stocchero Matteo M Gottardo Rossella R Chighine Alberto A De-Giorgio Fabio F Ferino Giulio G Nioi Matteo M Demontis Roberto R Tagliaro Franco F d'Aloja Ernesto E

International journal of legal medicine 20230217 3

<h4>Introduction</h4>The estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI) remains a major challenge in forensic science. Most of the proposed approaches lack the reliability required to meet the rigorous forensic standards.<h4>Objectives</h4>We applied <sup>1</sup>H NMR metabolomics to estimate PMI on ovine vitreous humour comparing the results with the actual scientific gold standard, namely vitreous potassium concentrations.<h4>Methods</h4>Vitreous humour samples were collected in a time frame ranging ...[more]

PMID: 36799966

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Project description:IntroductionAccurate post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation is essential in forensic investigations. Although various methods for PMI determination have been developed, only an approximate estimation is still achievable, and an accurate PMI indication is still challenging. Therefore, in this study, we employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics to assess post-mortem changes in porcine blood samples collected with and without the addition of anticoagulant (EDTA). Our study aimed to identify metabolites dependent on the EDTA addition and time (taking into account the biodiversity of the studied organism) and those that are time-dependent but resistant to the addition of an anticoagulant.MethodsThe experiment was performed on blood samples collected from 16 animals (domestic pig, breed: Polish Large White), 8 with and 8 without EDTA addition. The moment of death (time 0) and 15 additional time points (from 3 to 168 h after death) were selected to examine changes in metabolites' levels in specific time intervals. We employed linear mixed models to study the relationship between metabolite intensities, time and presence of EDTA while accounting for the effect of individual pigs.Results and discussionWe confirmed that the intensity of 16 metabolites (mainly amino acids) significantly depends on PMI and the presence of EDTA. However, the intensity of the ideal biomarker(s) for PMI estimation should be determined only by the time after death and not by external factors such as the presence of the anticoagulant agent. Thus, we identified 41 metabolites with time-dependent intensities that were not susceptible to EDTA presence. Finally, we assessed the performance of these metabolites in a PMI predictive model. Citraconic acid yielded one of the lowest errors in general PMI estimation (32.82 h). Moreover, similar errors were observed for samples with and without EDTA (33.32 h and 32.34 h, respectively). Although the small sample size and information leak in predictive modelling prevent drawing definite conclusions, citraconic acid shows potential as a robust PMI estimator.

Dataset Information

PMI estimation through metabolomics and potassium analysis on animal vitreous humour.

Introduction

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

PMI estimation through metabolomics and potassium analysis on animal vitreous humour.

Similar Datasets

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