Evaluation of micro-RNA analysis for forensic identification and differentiation of organ tissues

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Cornelius Courts
• Subject Area: Pathology
• Term: from 2012 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 211176546

The identification of the source and identity of biological materials especially in mixed traces is essential for the reconstruction and judgement of the series of events in the investigation of sexual and/or violent crimes. To this purpose, differential micro RNA expression is assessed since recently. This class of short, non-coding RNA is the endogenous component in RNA interference (RNAi) and from the composition of its miRNA population the type and/or condition of a cell or tissue may be inferred. In addition, miRNA is comparably resistant to degradation due to its small size. Together, these properties render miRNA a forensically relevant molecular species.In previous work we established a reliable and robust strategy based on quantitative PCR for the analysis of miRNA from five forensically relevant body fluids and mixtures thereof. This and other previous work is to be continued herein: miRNA analysis is to be established and validated in experimental forensic scenarios for the identification and mixture deconvolution of six organ tissues and skin. The resulting strategy is then to be adapted to forensic routine use.Together with our previous results this would amount to the presentation of a comprehensive and empirically validated tool kit for forensic miRNA analysis. These tools may then allow for the investigation and unbiased interpretation of even complex mixed traces frequently found at sites of sexual and violent crimes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants