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The Contribution of Proteomics and Post-mortem Laboratory Investigations in Forensic Pathology

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2025) | Viewed by 13160

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Isabella Aquila

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Interests: poisoning; toxicity; forensic toxinology; forensic science; legal medicine; domestic violence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forensic sciences have seen remarkable development in recent years thanks to the advancement of numerous new diagnostic technologies in forensic pathology. We are witnessing the development of new fields such as forensic proteomics consisting in the identification of proteins and their characterization with respect to structure, function, activity, quantity and molecular interactions in the forensic field. In this direction, various studies have, for example, explored the role of the identification of new protein biomarkers analyzed on post-mortem biological samples in order to provide new scientific evidence with respect to various questions of forensic interest including the post-mortem interval (PMI) or the cause of death. The purpose of this Special Issue is to demonstrate the role that the study of proteins and in general that forensic laboratory investigations on cadavers can have in post-mortem diagnostics and in forensic sciences. This Special Issue is supervised by Prof. Dr. Isabella Aquila and assisted by our Topical Advisory Panel Member Dr. Matteo Antonio Sacco. To this end, contributions on the following topics are welcome:

  • forensic proteomics;
  • proteins;
  • post-mortem interval;
  • molecular interactions;
  • forensic biology;
  • forensic biochemistry;
  • forensic laboratory;
  • forensic investigations.

Prof. Dr. Isabella Aquila
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • proteomics
  • proteins
  • forensic biology
  • post mortem interval
  • forensic biochemistry

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 186 KiB  
Editorial
Proteomics: A New Research Frontier in Forensic Pathology
by Matteo Antonio Sacco and Isabella Aquila
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10735; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310735 - 27 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2988
Abstract
Proteomics, the study of proteins and their functions, has revolutionized the field of forensic science by providing a powerful approach to identify and characterize proteins for various aims [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution of Proteomics and Post-mortem Laboratory Investigations in Forensic Pathology)

Research

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22 pages, 4980 KiB  
Article
Proteomic Characterization of Changes in Mouse Brain Cortex Protein Expression at Different Post-Mortem Intervals: A Preliminary Study for Forensic Biomarker Identification
by Martina Bonelli, Fabrizio Di Giuseppe, Nicola Tupone, Vimal Di Virgilio, Antonio Maria Catena, Marcello Locatelli, Giuliano Ascani, Gianluigi Giammaria, Renata Ciccarelli, Cristian D’Ovidio and Stefania Angelucci
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8736; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168736 - 10 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1210
Abstract
Accuracy in the evaluation of death-induced tissue degradation for thanato-chronological purposes is strictly dependent on the condition of the biological source as well as on the precision of post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation. Thus, the optimization of tissue handling and identification of sensitive post-mortem [...] Read more.
Accuracy in the evaluation of death-induced tissue degradation for thanato-chronological purposes is strictly dependent on the condition of the biological source as well as on the precision of post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation. Thus, the optimization of tissue handling and identification of sensitive post-mortem biomarkers could help establish a timeline for post-mortem events. To this aim, we investigated the proteome changes in cortex samples of 6-week-old female SAMR1 mice over a post-mortem time course. After death, brain tissue was removed immediately (T0), and after 4, 8, 12, 24, and 32 h, four mice were used for each time period, and animals were maintained at 4 °C until brain removal. Dissected tissues were frozen at −80 °C until processed. Proteomic analysis, performed on samples related to early and late PMIs (<24 h and >24 h post-mortem, respectively) showed protein level changes as compared to T0 samples, with a remarkable increase in Calpain11 in the early PMI, as well as in Caspases 7 and 8 together with Gasdermin 3 in late PMI. These findings were confirmed by LIFT mass spectrometry technology and western blot analysis and, although requiring further investigation in other biological samples, suggest that these proteins could be considered as putative biomarkers of different PMIs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution of Proteomics and Post-mortem Laboratory Investigations in Forensic Pathology)
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Review

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21 pages, 653 KiB  
Review
The Role of Protein Degradation in Estimation Postmortem Interval and Confirmation of Cause of Death in Forensic Pathology: A Literature Review
by Weisheng Huang, Shuquan Zhao, Huine Liu, Meichen Pan and Hongmei Dong
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(3), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031659 - 29 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4117
Abstract
It is well known that proteins are important bio-macromolecules in human organisms, and numerous proteins are widely used in the clinical practice, whereas their application in forensic science is currently limited. This limitation is mainly attributed to the postmortem degradation of targeted proteins, [...] Read more.
It is well known that proteins are important bio-macromolecules in human organisms, and numerous proteins are widely used in the clinical practice, whereas their application in forensic science is currently limited. This limitation is mainly attributed to the postmortem degradation of targeted proteins, which can significantly impact final conclusions. In the last decade, numerous methods have been established to detect the protein from a forensic perspective, and some of the postmortem proteins have been applied in forensic practice. To better understand the emerging issues and challenges in postmortem proteins, we have reviewed the current application of protein technologies at postmortem in forensic practice. Meanwhile, we discuss the application of proteins in identifying the cause of death, and postmortem interval (PMI). Finally, we highlight the interpretability and limitations of postmortem protein challenges. We believe that utilizing the multi-omics method can enhance the comprehensiveness of applying proteins in forensic practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution of Proteomics and Post-mortem Laboratory Investigations in Forensic Pathology)
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32 pages, 3344 KiB  
Review
Lipidomes in Cadaveric Decomposition and Determination of the Postmortem Interval: A Systematic Review
by Leticia Caballero-Moreno, Aurelio Luna and Isabel Legaz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25020984 - 12 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2102
Abstract
Lipids are a large group of natural compounds, together with proteins and carbohydrates, and are essential for various processes in the body. After death, the organism’s tissues undergo a series of reactions that generate changes in some molecules, including lipids. This means that [...] Read more.
Lipids are a large group of natural compounds, together with proteins and carbohydrates, and are essential for various processes in the body. After death, the organism’s tissues undergo a series of reactions that generate changes in some molecules, including lipids. This means that determining the lipid change profile can be beneficial in estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). These changes can also help determine burial sites and advance the localization of graves. The aim was to explore and analyze the decomposition process of corpses, focusing on the transformation of lipids, especially triglycerides (TGs) and fatty acids (FAs), and the possible application of these compounds as markers to estimate PMI and detect burial sites. A systematic review of 24 scientific articles from the last 23 years (2000–2023) was conducted. The results show that membrane glycerophospholipids (such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol, among others) are the most studied, and the most promising results are obtained, with decreasing patterns as PMI varies. Fatty acids (FAs) are also identified as potential biomarkers owing to the variations in their postmortem concentration. An increase in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as stearic acid and palmitic acid, and a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, were observed. The importance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in decomposition is also observed. Finally, as for the burial sites, the presence of fatty acids and some sterols in burial areas of animal and human remains can be verified. In conclusion, glycerophospholipids and fatty acids are good markers for estimating PMI. It has been observed that there are still no equations for estimating the PMI that can be applied to forensic practice, as intrinsic and extrinsic factors are seen to play a vital role in the decomposition process. As for determining burial sites, the importance of soil and textile samples has been demonstrated, showing a direct relationship between saturated fatty acids, hydroxy fatty acids, and some sterols with decomposing remains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution of Proteomics and Post-mortem Laboratory Investigations in Forensic Pathology)
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13 pages, 1961 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Potential of Proteome Analysis as a Promising Tool for Evaluation of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in Forensic Settings: A Literature Review
by Matteo Antonio Sacco, Saverio Gualtieri, Luca Calanna, Pietrantonio Ricci and Isabella Aquila
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 14351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814351 - 20 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1677
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) represents a global emergency, with a high number of cases affecting all age groups every year. The prevention of these fatal events requires an accurate knowledge of etiology and pathogenesis, which can vary. Autopsy is an indispensable tool in [...] Read more.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) represents a global emergency, with a high number of cases affecting all age groups every year. The prevention of these fatal events requires an accurate knowledge of etiology and pathogenesis, which can vary. Autopsy is an indispensable tool in cases of SCD for diagnostic purposes, as well as for judicial and preventive purposes for family members. Despite the completion of all routine post-mortem investigations, it is often complicated for the forensic pathologist to define the triggering cause of these events. The study of the proteome is proving to be extremely promising in the field of human cardiovascular disease. This paper aims to offer a literature review on the study of the proteome in post-mortem cadaveric biological samples obtained from SCD cases. The aim of this work is to outline the state of the art of the scientific advances that protein analysis can offer in the diagnosis of SCD and the limits that various studies have traced up to now. In conclusion, the work defines the future perspectives of this field in SCD, suggesting strategies to overcome the reported limits and improve the diagnostics of these events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution of Proteomics and Post-mortem Laboratory Investigations in Forensic Pathology)
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