Forens-OMICS 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Forens-OMICS" on Human Remains for Age-at-Death and Post-Mortem Interval Estimation in Forensic Contexts
IRAS ID
341894
Contact name
Noemi Procopio
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This project builds upon previous research that utilized advanced technologies in biology and biochemistry labs to address two crucial questions in forensic science: determining the post-mortem interval (PMI) and estimating the age-at-death (AAD) of a victim. Existing methods for these estimations often rely on the expertise of scientists, resulting in inconsistent results and subjectivity. Additionally, PMI estimation techniques require soft tissue evaluations soon after death, while AAD determination relies on intact skeletal features.
Technological advancements now allow researchers to extract valuable biological information from minute samples, such as tiny bone fragments, using "omics" disciplines (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics). These bone biomolecules exhibit distinct signatures related to in-vivo and post-mortem aging processes within small biological samples. Inthe previous research conducted by our group, the application of "omics" technologies to study the aging of human remains was named "Forens-OMICS". The initial work involved studying multiple molecular signatures (DNA, proteins, lipids, metabolites) in a non-targeted manner to identify putative markers for aging.
As a continuation of the work of "Forens-OMICS", this project now aims to validate the previously identified markers using targeted approaches that provide precision and reproducibility. The validated markers will then be combined into user-friendly panels for unbiased, reliable, and quick estimations using the instrumentation widely available in forensic laboratories.To achieve these goals, the project will be conducted in collaboration with anthropological facilities in the United States, which will provide additional human bone material for the validation of the identified markers on a set of independent samples. Historical human bones from the 18th and 19th centuries will also be included to assess the "Forens-OMICS" method applicability to older specimens, for its future implementation also on archaeological contexts. The obtained information will be integrated using bioinformatics tools to develop improved mathematical models for PMI and AAD estimation via the targeted analysis of the validated biomarkers.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
25/SS/0058
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion