PMI estimation through metabolomics and potassium analysis on animal vitreous humour.
Int J Legal Med
; 137(3): 887-895, 2023 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36799966
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.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Mudanças Depois da Morte
/
Potássio
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Legal Med
Assunto da revista:
JURISPRUDENCIA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália