Forensic validation of a combined analysis of mRNA and miRNA markers for precise tissue origin inferences of five kinds of body fluids by RT‐qPCR

Abstract

Correctly inferring the tissue origin types of forensic‐relevant body fluids left at a crime scene is beneficial for reconstructing a crime scene. However, it is still a challenge to accurately identify different kinds of body fluids at a crime scene. Shorter sequence length and anti‐degradation microRNA (miRNA) can be used to infer the tissue sources of biological fluid traces, but a limited number of miRNAs are tissue specific. The application of messenger RNA (mRNA) has been confirmed by different studies based on its high tissue specificity. According to the differential expression features of mRNA or miRNA in forensically relevant body fluids, this study developed a simultaneously reversed mRNA and miRNA system and then used these two types of RNAs for the determinations of five common kinds of body fluids. Compared with previously reported single kind of mRNA or miRNA assay, the combined mRNA and miRNA system showed good advantages for human body fluid identifications, especially it could be applied in mixed samples. In conclusion, the obtained results indicated that this combined mRNA and miRNA system might provide a scientific and accurate reference for body fluid identifications.

Special Issue “Molecular Biology in Forensic Science: Past, Present and Future”

“…miRNAs show distinctive expression patterns in response to various physiological and pathological conditions, making them potential markers as much in forensic diagnostics and medicolegal investigations as in clinical practice. By expanding our knowledge in this area, expression analyses of different miRNAs may lead to the identification of new markers for tissue changes related to aging and/or pathophysiological conditions, thereby strengthening the scope of forensic science research [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Indeed, in recent years, data sharing between seemingly distant fields such as forensic science and clinical practice has facilitated the cross-pollination of knowledge, leading to advances in both fields [ 12 , 18 , 19 ].…”