A 1H NMR metabolomic approach for the estimation of the time since death using aqueous humour: an animal model

IntroductionThe estimation of the time since death, or post-mortem interval (PMI), still remains a main conundrum in forensic science. Several approaches have been so far proposed from either a qualitative or a quantitative point of view, but they still lack reliability and robustness. Recently, metabolomics has shown to be a potential tool to investigate the time-related post-mortem metabolite modifications in animal models.ObjectivesHere we propose, for the first time, the use of a H-1 NMR metabolomic approach for the estimation of PMI from aqueous humour (AH) in an ovine model.MethodsAH samples were collected at different times after death (from 118 to 1429min). H-1 NMR experiments were performed and spectral data analysed by multivariate statistical tools.ResultsA multivariate calibration model was built to estimate PMI on the basis of the metabolite content of the samples. The model was validated with an independent test set, obtaining a prediction error of 59min for PMI <500min, 104min for PMI from 500 to 1000min, and 118min for PMI >1000min. Moreover, the metabolomic approach suggested a picture of the mechanisms underlying the post-mortem biological modifications, highlighting the role played by taurine, choline, and succinate.ConclusionThe time-related modifications of the H-1 NMR AH metabolomic profile seem to be encouraging in addressing the issue of a reproducible and robust model to be employed for the estimation of the time since death.