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25 October 2025, Volume 41 Issue 5 Previous Issue   
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Topic on Microbiomics
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Shouldering the Responsibility of Building a Law-Based China and Advancing the Comprehensive Development of Forensic Clinical Medicine Zhen-hua DENG 2025, 41(5): 407-420.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2025.250808 Abstract ( 63 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (918KB) ( 20 )   The forensic clinical discipline in China has evolved from early practices of living body examination into a dedicated framework featuring a complete bachelor, master and doctoral education system, a professional forensic identification workforce, and a multi-tiered standardization system. In contrast to other countries, where forensic clinical work is mainly carried out by part-time physicians and an independent disciplinary framework has not established, China has achieved remarkable progress in discipline building, talent cultivation, technical standardization, and scientific research, supported by institutional design at the national level. From ancient times to the present, with a focus on recent decades’ developmental context, and elaborates on the coordinated evolution of the education system, professional workforce, academic ecosystem, and technical standardization. It provides an in-depth analysis of the currently active research areas, including the improvement of the forensic clinical identification standards system, the development of forensic imaging from basic imaging techniques to precision identification enabled by artificial intelligence （AI） and multi-modal fusion, and the innovative breakthroughs of visual electrophysiology for objective functional assessment. Future development will focus on further standardizing practices, integrating AI, and enhancing international collaboration to strengthen the discipline’s scientific foundation and support for building a law-based China. References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

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Precision Identification from a Multi-omics Perspective： Current Status， Challenges， and Prospects in Forensic Genetics ZHU Bo-feng 2025, 41(5): 421-440.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2025.550704 Abstract ( 83 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (2394KB) ( 33 )   Driven by the deep integration and continuous advancement of multi-omics technologies, forensic genetics has been rapidly transforming from traditional marker-based detection to more refined and intelligent approaches in recent years. Based on the relevant domestic and international research in the past six years （2020-2025）, this paper systematically reviews the research progress and developmental trend of forensic genetics across major application areas： individual identification, kinship testing, tissue origin identification, biogeographical origin and individual phenotype identification, age estimation, and non-human biological evidence analysis. These insights aim to provide theoretical foundations and practical guidance for the advancement of precise forensic identification technologies, interdisciplinary integration, and the innovation of judicial evidence systems. Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

Topic on Microbiomics

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Skin Microbiome： Expanding Dimensions and Challenges in Forensic Evidence Han ZHANG, Xin HUANG, An-qi CHEN, Ji CHEN, Yan-fang LU, Jian-ye ZENG, Xiang WANG 2025, 41(5): 443-455.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2025.550403 Abstract ( 44 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (887KB) ( 21 )   The skin microbiome, characterized by its vast abundance, high diversity, pronounced individual specificity, and dynamic traceability, serves as a significant biological marker of the host. Its composition and variation are influenced by both the host’s physiological states and external environmental factors, exhibiting a close “mirror” relationship with host phenotypes. This unique “microbial fingerprint” not only expands the sources of forensic evidence but also offers new perspectives and opportunities for the advancement of forensic research and practice. This paper reviews the physiological and structural foundations underlying skin microbial diversity and the mechanisms that shape individual specificity, analyzes its unique advantages and technical approaches in forensic applications, outlines recent research progress, explores the future potential and major challenges of using skin microbiome markers in forensic science, and proposes practical recommendations. References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

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Effect of Temperature on Microbial Succession in Different Tissues of Cadavers and Estimation of Postmortem Interval Ji CHEN, Yu-rong ZHAO, Xin HUANG, Yi-ling QU, Yan-fang LU, Yu XING, Han ZHANG, Jian-ye ZENG, Shi-lin LI, Su-hua ZHANG 2025, 41(5): 456-467.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2025.450404 Abstract ( 37 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (11863KB) ( 35 )   Objective To explore the distribution characteristics of microbial communities in various rat tissues under different temperature conditions and their dynamic changes over the postmortem interval（PMI）, and to analyze the effects of temperature and tissue type on microbial succession in cadavers. Methods A total of 96 rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and then placed under room temperature （20 ℃, n=48）, high temperature （40 ℃, n=24）, and low temperature （-20 ℃, n=24） conditions. Tissue samples from the diaphragm, lung, rectum, testis, and uterus were collected at various PMIs. Microbial community composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 regions. α-diversity, β-diversity, phylum- and genus-level species distributions, PMI-associated biomarkers analysis and species differential analysis were employed to systematically compare the effects of temperature and tissue type on microbial succession. Results Under room temperature, microbial diversity exhibited a nonlinear trend, initially increasing and then decreasing. High temperature condition accelerated microbial succession and resulted in a significant decrease in microbial diversity within 24 hours. Low temperature slowed the succession, maintaining relatively high diversity and stable species distribution. The rectal microbial community differed significantly from those in other tissues. The phylum Proteobacteria, especially the genus Proteus, showed a significant increase in relative abundance in various tissues after 48 hours at room temperature and 24 hours at high temperature. Conclusion The dynamic succession patterns of microbial communities in multiple tissues under different temperature conditions confirm the significant regulatory effect of temperature on microbial diversity and species distribution, providing an important basis for optimizing microbiome-based PMI estimation methods. Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

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Exploring Microbial Detection of Psychoactive Substances in Wastewater Based on Micobiome Analysis Hou-ying ZOU, Yin-lei LEI, Ruo-cheng XIA, Yan SHI, Cheng-tao LI 2025, 41(5): 468-476.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2025.550803 Abstract ( 44 )   HTML ( 2 )   PDF (2265KB) ( 17 )   Objective To explore the potential wastewater microbiome analysis for detecting psychoactive substances by using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing with liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. Methods LC-MS/MS was used to qualitatively detect psychoactive substances in 21 wastewater samples suspected to contain such compunds. Based on the results, the samples were categorized into two groups: a positive group （containing psychoactive substances） and a negative group （free of psychoactive substances）. Subsequently, bacterial communities in all samples were analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This analysis characterized the species composition, α diversity （Shannon and Simpson indices), and β-diversity （PCoA and NMDS）. Significantly different operational taxonomic units （OTUs） were screened using linear discriminant analysis effect size （LEfSe）, and optimal OTU features were iteratively selected via recursive feature elimination （RFE）. A random forest prediction model was built with these two OTU subsets as input features. Results The composition and structure of the bacterial communities showed marked differences between the two groups. The sample diversity in the positive group was higher than that in the negative group. The permutational ultivariate analysis of variance （PERMANOVA） revealed a statistically significant difference in β-diversity between the two groups. Random Forest models achieved a prediction accuracy of 83.3%, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.89 and 0.83, respectively. Conclusion Integrating wastewater bacterial community analysis with chemical analysis techniques may provide a more comprehensive approach for monitering the presence of psychoactive substances. Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

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Diagnosis of Drowning by qPCR Detection of Plankton DNA in Cardiac Blood of Cadavers Xiao-feng ZHANG, Lin CHEN, Xiao-hui CHEN, Jian ZHAO, Tian-chun LIN, Dang-en GU, Feng WANG, Zhi-yong LIU, Shi-yun MENG, Xing-yi YANG, Qu-yi XU 2025, 41(5): 477-481.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2025.450301 Abstract ( 57 )   HTML ( 2 )   PDF (686KB) ( 20 )   Objective To investigate the feasibility of diagnosing drowning by detecting plankton DNA in cardiac blood of cadavers recovered from water using real-time quantitative PCR （qPCR）. Methods Cardiac blood samples were collected via precordial puncture from 32 drowned cadavers and 10 non-drowned cadavers. qPCR was employed to detect plankton （diatoms, cyanobacteria and Aeromonas） in the blood samples. Results Plankton DNA was detected in 17 drowning cadavers, while no plankton DNA was detected in the 10 non-drowned cadavers. Conclusion qPCR can detect plankton DNA in cardiac blood of most drowning cases. This method may have potential as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of drowning. Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

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Recommendations for the Standardization of Forensic Microbiological Analysis Zhi-yong LIU, Xing-chun ZHAO, Ling CHEN, Ri-ga WU, Mei-qing YUAN, Xiao-hui CHEN, Jian ZHAO, Qu-yi XU, Chang-hui LIU, Hong-yu SUN, Chao LIU 2025, 41(5): 482-493.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2025.550501 Abstract ( 55 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (933KB) ( 19 )   With advances in microbiome research and the continuous advancement of detection technologies, the application of microorganisms in forensic medicine has become increasingly widespread, covering areas such as individual identification, body fluid source inference, biogeographical analysis, postmortem interval estimation, and determination of the cause and location of death. However, due to the lack of a comprehensive standardized system, batch effects and inter-laboratory differences have led to low reproducibility of analysis results. This problem is particularly evident in low-quality forensic samples, which compromise the reliability and evidential value of forensic microbiological analyses. Therefore, based on domestic and international research progress and practical experience, this paper systematically summarizes and discusses the standardization of forensic microbiological analysis, aiming to improve the reliability of results and promote the standardization of forensic microbiological analysis. Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics

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Role of Ferroptosis in Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice Hao-jie QIN, Chen MO, Hong-wei LI, Zhi-jiang LIU, Zhe ZHENG 2025, 41(5): 494-501.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2024.440115 Abstract ( 46 )   HTML ( 5 )   PDF (6742KB) ( 18 )   Objective To explore the potential mechanisms by which ferroptosis contributes to paraquat-induced acute lung injury in mice and its forensic significance. Methods Sixty healthy male clean-grade Kunming mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and paraquat exposure groups （1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d and 14 d）, with 10 mice per group. The exposure groups were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg paraquat solution, while the control group was given an equal volume of 0.9% saline. General conditions after exposure were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to examine pathological changes in lung tissues, and Prussian blue staining was used to detect iron content. Oxidative stress indicators, such as reduced glutathione （GSH） and malondialdehyde （MDA）, were measured by relevant testing kits. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to detect the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins including glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）, solute carrier family 7 member 11（SLC7A11）, and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）. Results With the increase of exposure time, mice in the exposure groups showed progressively aggravated fibrosis and increased iron deposition in lung tissues. GSH levels gradually decreased, while MDA levels increased significantly in the 7 d and 14 d groups. The expression of GPX4 in lung tissue decreased. The expression of SLC7A11 decreased over time, except for the 1 d group. The expression of HO-1 increased with the increase of exposure time, except for the 1 d group, and the highest expression was observed in the 7 d group. The differences between the exposure groups and the control group were statistically significant （P<0.05）. Conclusion Ferroptosis is involved in acute lung injury induced by paraquat poisoning, and research on the mechanism of ferroptosis and the temporal changes of its biomarkers may provide valuable insights for the forensic identification of paraquat poisoning. Figures and Tables | References | Supplementary Material | Related Articles | Metrics