Development of an RNA-type combined multiplex-PCR assay for the identification of the forensic relevant body fluids

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Peter Wiegand
• Subject Area: Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine ; Pathology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 457349083

The identification of the origin of biological material of human body fluids and tissues of stains found at crime scenes are crucial in the context of the circumstance of crime. Therefore, especially mRNA-based body fluid and tissue identification (BFI) has been vigorously examined in the last decades. Moreover, small RNAs like micro RNA (miRNA) and piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) got more attention for the identification of body fluids and tissues recently. The major advantage of small RNAs compared to mRNAs is the high stability in degraded samples. This advantage is based on their short length and encapsulation in proteins. Indeed, mRNA-based analysis showed preciser results for specificity and sensitivity. This study comprises the development of an RNA-type (mRNA, miRNA and piRNA) combined assay for reverse transcriptase (RT) with capillary electrophoretic (RT-CE) and massively parallel sequencing (MPS) identification of body fluids and tissues. An multiplex-assay consisting of different RNA-types could improve the specificity and sensitivity of the identification of body fluids and tissues of degraded samples. Besides, this assay could specify the time since deposition of body fluids and improve determination of postmortem intervals. For one, the simultaneous examination of mRNA, miRNA and piRNA by use of MPS is a major step forward for molecular expression studies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants