Application of transcriptome in time analysis and donor characterization in blood samples

Yi Chuan. 2023 Jan 20;45(1):52-66. doi: 10.16288/j.yczz.22-293.

Abstract

As an effective supplement to the current forensic DNA typing and one of the research hotpots in forensic science, the in-depth mining and characterization of biological evidence can provide rich and reliable clues for case investigation. In this study, the time-dependent variations of transcriptome were confirmed in in vitro blood samples within 0-168 days and a random forest model was established to realize the classification of blood samples with different TSD (time since deposition). Meanwhile, significant differences were observed in the transcripts of blood samples with different smoking habits and genders within a certain time period. HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DQA2 were identified as markers for smoking habit identification, while the transcripts for RPS4Y1 and EIF1AY from the non-recombining region of the Y chromosome (NRY) were identified as markers for male sex identification. Thus, this study provides a theoretical foundation and experimental strategy for establishing a transcriptome-based method for characterizing blood sample retention time and donor characteristics in the field of forensic investigation.

案件现场生物物证信息深度挖掘与刻画,可以为案件侦查、涉案人员查找提供丰富可靠线索,是当前法医DNA检验的有效补充,也是国内外法庭科学的研究热点之一。本研究以血液样本为研究对象,证实了0~168天内离体血液样本转录组变化的时间相关性,并建立随机森林模型实现不同离体时间血液样本分类。同时,进一步证实相同离体时间段内,不同吸烟习惯和不同性别供体来源的血液样本转录本具有显著差异,HLA-DRB1HLA-DQB1HLA-DQA2可以作为供体吸烟习惯判别标志,Y染色体非重组区(non-recombining Y, NRY)的转录本RPS4Y1EIF1AY可以作为供体性别特征判别标志。本研究为法庭科学领域建立基于转录组分析的血液样本遗留时间和供体特征刻画方法提供了理论基础和实验依据。.

Keywords: blood; forensic science; gender; smoking habit; time since deposition.

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Female
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transcriptome*

Substances

  • HLA-DRB1 Chains