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- Title
PMI estimation through metabolomics and potassium analysis on animal vitreous humour.
- Authors
Locci, Emanuela; Stocchero, Matteo; Gottardo, Rossella; Chighine, Alberto; De-Giorgio, Fabio; Ferino, Giulio; Nioi, Matteo; Demontis, Roberto; Tagliaro, Franco; d'Aloja, Ernesto
- 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.
- Subjects
MULTIVARIATE analysis; METABOLOMICS; POTASSIUM; ION analysis; CONSTRUCTION cost estimates; POTASSIUM channels; LATENT structure analysis; NUCLEAR magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Publication
International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2023, Vol 137, Issue 3, p887
- ISSN
0937-9827
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00414-023-02975-6