Journal of Forensic Medicine

Forensic Pathological Diagnosis of Acute and Old Myocardial Infarction Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Tian TIAN, Xin-biao LIAO, Fu ZHANG, Kai-fei DENG, Ji ZHANG, Ping HUANG, Yi-jiu CHEN, Jian-hua ZHANG

2023, 39(6): 535-541. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.430317

Abstract ( 280 )

HTML ( 9 )

PDF (4013KB) ( 348 )

Objective Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） was used to analyze myocardial infarction tissues at different stages of pathological change to achieve the forensic pathology diagnosis of acute and old myocardial infarction. Methods FTIR spectra data of early ischemic myocardium, necrotic myocardium, and myocardial fibrous tissue in the left ventricular anterior wall of the sudden death group of atherosclerotic heart disease and the myocardium of the normal control group were collected using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and immunohistochemistry （IHC） staining as a reference, and the data were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. Results The mean normalized spectra of control myocardium, early ischemic myocardium and necrotic myocardium were relatively similar, but the mean second derivative spectra were significantly different. The peak intensity of secondary structure of proteins in early ischemic myocardium was significantly higher than in other types of myocardium, and the peak intensity of the α-helix in necrotic myocardium was the lowest. The peaks of amide Ⅰ and amide Ⅱ in the mean normalized spectra of myocardial fibrous tissue significantly shifted towards higher wave numbers, the peak intensities of amide Ⅱ and amide Ⅲ were higher than those of other types of myocardium, and the peak intensities at 1 338, 1 284, 1 238 and 1 204 cm^-1 in the mean second derivative spectra were significantly enhanced. Principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least square-discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） showed that FTIR could distinguish different types of myocardium. Conclusion FTIR technique has the potential to diagnose acute and old myocardial infarction, and provides a new basis for the analysis of the causes of sudden cardiac death.

Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

Application of Targeted Coronary Angiography in the Diagnosis of Sudden Cardiac Death

Xin ZHAO, Zhi-ming CHEN, Wen-yun LIU, Bo WANG, Hong-yang LI, Li-yao YANG, Yan TENG, Li-jun WANG, Yan-bin GAO, Wei-long CHEN, Lei ZHANG

2023, 39(6): 542-548. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.421108

Abstract ( 223 )

HTML ( 5 )

PDF (1061KB) ( 278 )

Objective To diagnose coronary artery stenosis by using the postmortem computed tomography angiography （PMCTA）, and to explore the diagnostic value of PMCTA in sudden cardiac death. Methods Six death cases were selected, and the contrast medium iohexol was injected under high pressure through femoral artery approach with 5F pigtail catheter to obtain coronary image data and then the data was analyzed. The results of targeted coronary imaging and coronary artery calcium score （CaS） were compared with the results of conventional autopsy and histopathological examination. Results The autopsy and histopathological examination of cases with coronary artery stenosis obtained similar results in targeted coronary angiography, with a diagnostic concordance rate of 83.3%. Targeted coronary angiography could effectively show coronary artery diseases, and the CaS was consistent with the results of conventional autopsy and histopathological examination. Conclusion Targeted coronary angiography can be used as an effective auxiliary method for conventional autopsy in cases of sudden cardiac death.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Proteomic Difference Analysis of Whole Blood and Bloodstains

Ao HUANG, Shu-bo WEN, Qian-qian KONG, Zhen-min ZHAO, Xi-ling LIU

2023, 39(6): 549-556. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.521204

Abstract ( 142 )

HTML ( 2 )

PDF (4401KB) ( 196 )

Objective To study the changes of protein levels in peripheral blood after it dried. Methods The proteins from whole blood and bloodstains were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） and normalized by the label-free quantification （LFQ） method. The differential proteins were analyzed by using R 4.2.1 software, limma and edgeR package. The analysis of biological function, signaling pathway and subcellular localization for the differential proteins was then performed. Results A total of 623 and 596 proteins were detected in whole blood and bloodstains, respectively, of which 31 were statistically significant in the quantitative results, including 10 up-regulated and 21 down-regulated proteins in bloodstains. Conclusion The protein abundances in whole blood and bloodstains are highly correlated, and the variation of protein abundances may be related to the changes of endogenous and structural proteins in cells. The application of proteomics technology can assist the screening and identification of protein biomarkers, thereby introducing new biomarkers for forensic research.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Traceability of Geographic Origin Using Human Skin and Oral Microbiota

Xin-yu DONG, Ru-xin ZHU, Yin-lei LEI, Rui-yang TAO, Cheng-tao LI

2023, 39(6): 557-563. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.530401

Abstract ( 234 )

HTML ( 4 )

PDF (2199KB) ( 291 )

Objective To explore the possibility of using human skin and oral microorganisms to estimate the geographic origin of an individual through the sequencing analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Methods Microbial DNA was extracted from the palm and oral microorganisms of the Han population in Shanghai and Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, and the composition and diversity of the microbiota were analyzed by full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Then, differential species were screened and a geographic location prediction model was constructed. Results The compositions of palm and oral microorganisms between Shanghai and Chifeng samples were both different. The abundance and uniformity of palm side skin microorganisms were higher in Chifeng samples than in Shanghai samples, while there was no significant difference in oral microorganisms. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance （PERMANOVA） confirmed that the β-diversity between the samples from the two places were statistically significant, and the coefficients of determination （R²） for skin and oral samples were 0.129 and 0.102, respectively. Through principal co-ordinates analysis （PCoA）, the samples from the two places could be preliminarily distinguished. The predictive model had the accuracies of 0.90 and 0.83 for the geographic origin using the skin and oral samples, respectively. Conclusion There are differences in the compositions of palm and oral microbiota between Han populations in Shanghai and Chifeng. The prediction model constructed by the random forest algorithm can trace the unknown individuals from the above two places.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

UPLC-MS/MS Method for Detection of Etomidate and Its Metabolite Etomidate Acid Quantity in Blood

Xing HAN, Xin LIU, Ming-luo DU, Ruo-lun XU, Jia-rong LI, Chao LIU, Wei-guo LIU

2023, 39(6): 564-570. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.330901

Abstract ( 312 )

HTML ( 5 )

PDF (1097KB) ( 223 )

Objective To establish a method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of etomidate and its metabolite etomidate acid in blood, and to discuss its application value in actual cases. Methods Acetonitrile precipitate protein method was used, and C₁₈ column was selected. Gradient elution was performed with acetonitrile and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate within 6 min. Electrospray ionization source in positive ion mode was used. The internal standard etomidate acid-d₅ was obtained by etomidate-d₅ alkaline hydrolysis reaction. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） was used for quantitative analysis. The methodological verification was conducted. Results Etomidate and etomidate acid in blood showed good linear relationship in the quantitative linear range （r>0.999）, with the lower limit of quantification was 2.5 ng/mL and 7.5 ng/mL, respectively. The accuracy, precision, recovery rate, and matrix effect of the method met the professional verification standards. The practical application results showed that etomidate and etomidate acid could be detected in the blood of the abusers, and their mass concentrations ranged from 17.24 to 379.93 ng/mL. Conclusion The method established in this study can simultaneously quantify etomidate and etomidate acid in blood, which is simple and convenient to operate with accuracy. It can meet the detection needs of actual cases and provide technical support for law enforcement to crack down on etomidate abuse.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Forensic Analysis of Eighteen Tubal Pregnancy-Related Medical Damage

Ying LI, Yong YU, Xing-hua KOU, Zhan-long HAN

2023, 39(6): 571-578. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.220707

Abstract ( 249 )

HTML ( 5 )

PDF (786KB) ( 293 )

Objective To analyze the cases of medical damage after misdiagnosis of tubal pregnancy, to explore the causes of medical damage, the causal relationship between medical malpractice and the damage consequences, as well as the causative potency, in order to provide evaluation ideas for forensic identification of such cases. Methods Eighteen cases of forensic identification of tubal pregnancy related medical damage were collected and retrospectively analyzed from the aspects of age, maternity history, fertility requirements, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment, medical malpractice, damage consequences, and causative potency. Results All 18 cases were tubal pregnancy, of which 17 cases had medical malpractice, resulting in 14 cases of affected tubal resection, 2 cases of hemorrhagic shock death, 1 case of intrauterine fetal death and affected tubal resection. The other case had the consequence of affected tubal resection, but there was no malpractice in the treatment. Conclusion Correct diagnosis is helpful to make appropriate treatment plan, prevent disease progression and reduce serious adverse consequences and the occurrence of medical disputes. Scientific and reasonable analysis of the causal relationship between medical malpractice and damage consequences and the causative potency is of great significance to the successful settlement of medical disputes.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Forensic Validation and Application Evaluation of IDentifier DNA Typing Kit （Yan-Huang34）

Lin-lin GAO, Wei XIE, Su-juan ZHU, Da LI, Qin WANG, Liang HONG, You-ying LI

2023, 39(6): 579-585. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.520902

Abstract ( 175 )

HTML ( 2 )

PDF (8359KB) ( 324 )

Objective To investigate the technical performance of IDentifier DNA typing kit （YanHuang34） and evaluate its forensic application value. Methods Following the Criterion of Forensic Science Human Fluorescence STR Multiplex Amplification Reagent （GB/T 37226—2018）, IDentifier DNA typing kit （YanHuang34） was verified in 11 aspects of species specificity, veracity, sensibility, adaptability, inhibitor tolerance, consistency, balance, reaction condition verification, mixed samples, stability and inter batch consistency. The system efficiency of IDentifier DNA typing kit （YanHuang34） was compared with the PowerPlex^® Fusion 6C System, VersaPlex^® 27PY System and VeriFiler^TM Plus PCR Amplification Kit. The IDentifier DNA typing kit （YanHuang34） was used to detect the swabs of biological samples in daily cases and the STR performances were observed. Results IDentifier DNA typing kit （YanHuang34） had good species specificity, veracity, adaptability, inhibitor tolerance and balance. The sensibility was up to 0.062 5 ng. It was able to detect different types of samples, degraded samples and inhibitor mixed samples. Complete DNA typing could be obtained for samples with the mixture ratio less than 4∶1. The system efficiency of IDentifier DNA typing kit （YanHuang34） was very high, with TDP up to 1-1.08×10^-37, CPE_trio and CPE_duo up to 1-5.47×10^-14 and 1-6.43×10^-9, respectively. For the touched biological samples in actual cases, the effective detection rate was 21.05%. The system efficiency of kinship, single parent and full sibling identifications was effectively improved. Conclusion The IDentifier DNA typing kit （YanHuang34） is adaptive to the GB/T 37226—2018 requirements. It can be used for individual identification and paternity identification, and is suitable for application in the field of forensic science.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Pathological Changes and Cause of Death Associated with the Global Novel Coronavirus Disease （COVID-19）

Bin YANG, Lu-yao XU, Ling-yue LI, Dong-fang QIAO, Si-hao DU, Xia YUE, Hui-jun WANG

2023, 39(6): 586-595. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.430703

Abstract ( 259 )

HTML ( 6 )

PDF (1607KB) ( 482 )

The coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） has been a global epidemic for more than three years, causing more than 6.9 million deaths. COVID-19 has the clinical characteristics of strong infectivity and long incubation period, and can cause multi-system damage, mainly lung damage, clinical symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS） and systemic multiple organ damage. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still constantly mutating. At present, there is no global consensus on the pathological changes of COVID-19 associated deaths and even no consensus on the criteria for determining the cause of death. The investigation of the basic pathological changes and progression of the disease is helpful to guide the clinical treatment and the development of therapeutic drugs. This paper reviews the autopsy reports and related literature published worldwide from February 2020 to June 2023, with a clear number of autopsy cases and corresponding pathological changes of vital organs as the inclusion criteria. A total of 1 111 autopsy cases from 65 papers in 18 countries are included. Pathological manifestations and causes of death are classified and statistically analyzed, common pathological changes of COVID-19 are summarized, and analytical conclusions are drawn, suggesting that COVID-19 infection can cause life-threatening pathological changes in vital organs. On the basis of different health levels of infected groups, the direct cause of death is mainly severe lung damage and secondary systemic multiple organ failure.

Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

Research Progress of Metabolomics Techniques Combined with Machine Learning Algorithm in Wound Age Estimation

Xing-yu MA, Hao CHENG, Zhong-duo ZHANG, Ye-ming LI, Dong ZHAO

2023, 39(6): 596-600. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.421105

Abstract ( 115 )

HTML ( 2 )

PDF (605KB) ( 220 )

Wound age estimation is the core content in the practice of forensic medicine. Accurate estimation of wound age is a scientific question that needs to be urgently solved by forensic scientists at home and abroad. Metabolomics techniques can effectively detect endogenous metabolites produced by internal or external stimulating factors and describe the dynamic changes of metabolites in vivo. It has the advantages of strong operability, high detection efficiency and accurate quantitative results. Machine learning algorithm has special advantages in processing high-dimensional data sets, which can effectively mine biological information and truly reflect the physiological, disease or injury state of the body. It is a new technical means for efficiently processing high-throughput big data. This paper reviews the status and advantages of metabolomic techniques combined with machine learning algorithm in the research of wound age estimation, and provides new ideas for this research.

References | Related Articles | Metrics

Modeling Methods and Influencing Factors for Age Estimation Based on DNA Methylation

Yi-hang HUANG, Wei-bo LIANG, Hui JIAN, Sheng-qiu QU

2023, 39(6): 601-607. DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.530106

Abstract ( 159 )

HTML ( 5 )

PDF (1588KB) ( 249 )

Age estimation based on tissues or body fluids is an important task in forensic science. The changes of DNA methylation status with age have certain rules, which can be used to estimate the age of the individuals. Therefore, it is of great significance to discover specific DNA methylation sites and develop new age estimation models. At present, statistical models for age estimation have been developed based on the rule that DNA methylation status changes with age. The commonly used models include multiple linear regression model, multiple quantile regression model, support vector machine model, artificial neural network model, random forest model, etc. In addition, there are many factors that affect the level of DNA methylation, such as the tissue specificity of methylation. This paper reviews these modeling methods and influencing factors for age estimation based on DNA methylation, with a view to provide reference for the establishment of age estimation models.

References | Related Articles | Metrics

Archive