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Discrimination of monozygotic twins using mtDNA heteroplasmy through probe capture enrichment and massively parallel sequencing
In this study, a probe hybridization technique was used to obtain mtDNA and then MPS was performed with an average sequencing depth of above 4000. The results showed us that all ten pairs of MZ twins were clearly differentiated with the minor heteroplasmy threshold at 1.0%, 0.5%, and 0.1%, respectively. Finally, we used a probe that targeted mtDNA to boost sequencing depth without interfering with nuclear DNA and this technique can be used in forensic genetics to differentiate the MZ twins. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - June 4, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Demonstrating the empirical effect of population specificity of anthropological standards in a contemporary Australian population
AbstractThe ability to differentiate individuals based on their biological sex is essential for the creation of an accurate anthropological assessment; it is therefore crucial that the standards that facilitate this are likewise accurate. Given the relative paucity of population-specific anthropological standards formulated specifically for application in the contemporary Australian population, forensic anthropological assessments have historically relied on the application of established methods developed using population geographically and/or temporally disparate. The aim of the present paper is, therefore, to assess the...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - June 3, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Effect of temporary freezing on postmortem protein degradation patterns
ConclusionThis study provides substantial new information from a porcine model to assess the degree of bias that freezing and thawing induces on postmortem degradation of skeletal muscle proteins. Results support that a freeze –thaw cycle with prolonged storage in frozen state has no significant impact on the decomposition behavior. This will help to equip the protein degradation–based method for PMI determination with a robust applicability in the normal forensic setting. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - June 3, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Development of a novel forensic age estimation strategy for aged blood samples by combining piRNA and miRNA markers
In this study, we explored the possibility of simultaneously analyzing piRNAs and miRNAs for better age estimation purpose. Through massively parallel sequencing, five age-related piRNAs were identified in blood samples that had been stored for eight years. Further real-time PCR analysis revealed that two piRNAs (piR-000753 and piR-020548) showed relatively higher efficiency in age estimation. Additionally, two age-related miRNAs (miR-324-3p and miR-330-5p) were used to build the estimation model. Among all algorithms tested, gradient boosting showed the lowest mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) va...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - June 1, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

A small RNA, microRNA as a potential biomolecular marker to estimate post mortem interval in forensic science: a systematic review
DiscussionThe results of each study are different due to the use of different types of miRNA targets and tissue sources. miRNA has great potential to estimate PMI in forensic science, but it is necessary to control the influencing factors to obtain an accurate conclusion. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 31, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Extended characterization of IL-33/ST2 as a predictor for wound age determination in skin wound tissue samples of humans and mice
AbstractInterleukin (IL)-33, an important inflammatory cytokine, is highly expressed in skin wound tissue and serum of humans and mice, and plays an essential role in the process of skin wound healing (SWH) dependent on the IL-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) pathway. However, whether IL-33 and ST2 themselves, as well as their interaction, can be applied for skin wound age determination in forensic practice remains incompletely characterized. Human skin samples with injured intervals of a few minutes to 24 hours (hs) and mouse skin samples with injured intervals of 1 h to 14 days (ds) were collected. Herein, the re...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 29, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

The epidemiology of homicide among older adults: retrospective analysis using data from the Victorian Homicide Register
AbstractOlder adult homicide is unique and under-researched, requiring immediate attention due to the rapidly ageing population. The current study aims to contribute to the description of homicide at the individual, interpersonal, incident and community levels. This research comprised a whole of state jurisdiction population-based retrospective analysis of homicide deaths of older adults aged 65 years and older reported to the Coroner between 2001 and 2015. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted to compare older adult homicides by sex and the deceased-offender relationship. There were 59 homicide incidents involvi...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 29, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Impact of storage conditions and time on DNA yield from ammunition cartridges
AbstractRecovery of suitable amounts of DNA from ammunition cartridges for short tandem repeat (STR) or mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis has been a challenge for crime laboratories. The metal composition of cartridge cases and projectiles exposes the DNA to harmful ions that damage and ultimately degrade the DNA such that it cannot be effectively amplified. The current study assessed the impact of time and storage conditions on touch DNA deposited on cartridge components of varying metal content: aluminum, nickel, brass, and copper. Elevated humidity levels facilitated greater DNA degradation and loss compared to low humidi...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 27, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Skin surface debris as an archive of environmental traces: an investigation through the naked eye, episcopic microscope, ED-XRF, and SEM –EDX
AbstractTraces from bodies can be of various nature, for example of biological or inorganic origin. Some of these historically have received more consideration than others in forensic practice. Samplings of gunshot residues or biological fluid traces are commonly standardized, whereas macroscopically invisible environmental traces are usually ignored. This paper simulated the interaction between a cadaver and a crime scene by placing skin samples on the ground of five different workplaces and inside the trunk of a car. Traces on samples were then investigated through different approaches: the naked eye, episcopic microscop...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 25, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Establishment of a multiplex PCR-CE assay for the simultaneous and rapid analysis of age markers for Calliphora vicina pupae
AbstractInsects, especially blow flies, are forensically relevant to determine the minimal postmortem interval (PMImin), based on the fact that they are usually the first colonisers of a body. By estimating the age of immature blow flies, interferences can be made about the time since death. Whilst morphological parameters are valuable for age estimation of blow fly larvae, gene expression profiling is more applicable for blow fly pupae. Here, the age-dependent changes in the gene expression levels during the development are analysed. 28 temperature-independent markers have already been described for the age estimation of ...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 24, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

SNP analysis of challenging bone DNA samples using the HID-Ion AmpliSeq ™ Identity Panel: facts and artefacts
In this study, we used PCR-MPS to analyse 32 challenging bone DNA samples from three Second World War victims, which previously yielded no results in conventional STR PCR-CE typing. The Identity Panel was used with 27 cycles of PCR. Despite that we only had an average of 6.8 pg of degraded DNA as template, 30 out of 32 libraries (93.8%) produced sequencing data for about 63/90 autosomal markers per sample. Out of the 30 libraries, 14 (46.7%) yielded single source genetic profiles in agreement with the biological identity of the donor, whereas 12 cases (40.0%) resulted in SNP profiles that did not match or were mixed. The m...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 22, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

First record of Diamesus osculans (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) colonization on a human corpse
AbstractA partially skeletonized human corpse was found in bushes in Selangor, Malaysia in June 2020. Entomological evidence was collected during the autopsy and sent to the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) analysis. Standard protocols were applied when processing preserved and live insect specimens of both larval and pupal stages. Entomological evidence revealed that the corpse was colonized byChrysomya nigripes Aubertin, 1932 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) andDiamesus osculans (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Silphidae...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 22, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Three mutations at a Y-STR haplotype defy a paternal half-brothers kinship case analysis
AbstractThis work presents the results of a DNA test aimed to determine a possible biological link of paternal half brotherhood of two males. The combined use of biparentally inherited markers (autosomal STRs) and a panel of 27 Y-STRs allowed us to determine the existence of a biological relationship of kinship, even after detecting three mutations at their Y-STR haplotypes along the analyses, constituting an infrequent multiple mutation situation. This case is an example illustrating the importance of having different analytical markers sets and strategies for clarifying complex kinship cases where mutations occur. (Sourc...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 20, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Internal validation study to assess the SeqStudio ™ for human identification’s performance
AbstractThe SeqStudio ™ for human identification (HID) is a new benchtop capillary electrophoresis (CE) platform recently developed by Applied Biosystems for genotyping and sequencing short tandem repeat (STR) fragments. Compared to the previous series of CE systems developed by this maker, it is more compact and easie r to use. Moreover, by allowing the detection of 4 to 8 fluorescent dyes, it seems to be fully compatible with the different kits of autosomal and gonosomal STR markers usually used in forensic genetics, which are available in trade and supplied by various manufacturers. However, being a new CE mode l, bef...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 17, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Post-mortem genetic testing in sudden cardiac death and genetic screening of relatives at risk: lessons learned from a Czech pilot multidisciplinary study
AbstractSudden cardiac death (SCD) might have an inherited cardiac condition background. Genetic testing supports post-mortem diagnosis and screening of relatives at risk. Our aim is to determine the feasibility of a Czech national collaboration group and to establish the clinical importance of molecular autopsy and family screening. From 2016 to 2021, we have evaluated 100 unrelated SCD cases (71.0% males, age: 33.3 (12.8) years). Genetic testing was performed by next-generation sequencing utilizing a panel of 100 genes related to inherited cardiac/aortic conditions and/or whole exome sequencing. According to autopsy, cas...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - May 13, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research