Generic placeholder image

Current Bioactive Compounds

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-4072
ISSN (Online): 1875-6646

Review Article

Epigenetics and Forensics: Brightening the Future

Author(s): Bareza Rezaei, Maryam Ahadi and Peyman Astaraki*

Volume 20, Issue 4, 2024

Published on: 02 October, 2023

Article ID: e150823219701 Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/1573407219666230815105041

Price: $65

Abstract

Epigenetics deals with the changes in gene expression (no change in the genetic code) concerning certain epigenetic elements in response to the environment. Some of the most common epigenetic examples include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. This field has been extensively applied in forensic studies, particularly to determine types of body fluids, distinguish them from mixed samples, uncovering the biological age of the forensic samples and drug-based studies. Considering recent findings, this review highlights the applications of epigenetics in forensic investigations.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Crime investigation through DNA methylation analysis: Methods and applications in forensics. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41935-018-0042-1
[2]
Basic and applied aspects of biotechnology. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-10-0875-7
[3]
Rezaei, B.; Ramazani, E.; Amiri, R.; Sanaei, Z. A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of electrolyte abnormalities in multiple trauma patients in Hamedan, Iran. Health Science Reports., 2021 Jun;, 4(2), e239. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hsr2.239
[4]
Meshikhes, AN. Daflon for haemorrhoids: A prospective, multi-centre observational study. The Surgeon., 2004 Dec 1, 2(6), 335-338. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8019764_Daflon_for_haemorrhoids_A_prospective_multi-centre_observational_study
[5]
Rezaei, B.; Salimi, R.; Kalantari, A.; Astaraki, P. Comparison of efficacy nebulized fentanyl with intravenous ketorolac for renal colic in patients over 12 years old. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine., 2021 Jun 1;, 44, 358-61.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2020.04.053] [PMID: 32345561]
[6]
Rezaei, B.; Mousavi, E.; Heshmati, B.; Asadi, S. Low back pain and its related risk factors in health care providers at hospitals: A systematic review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery., 2021 Oct 1;, 70, 102903. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2049080121008530
[7]
Mawlood, S.K.; Pickard, B.S. Methylation status and human age at three autosomal loci: A new forensic profiling tool. Journal of Forensic and Crime Studies, 2017, 1(1)
[http://dx.doi.org/10.18875/2638-3578.1.103]
[8]
Dolly, Mahna; Sanjeev, Puri; Shweta, Sharma DNA methylation signatures: Biomarkers of drug and alcohol abuse. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research, 2018, 777, 19-28. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S138357421730039X
[9]
Astaraki, P.; Ahadi, M.; Salehinejad, F.; Honardoost, V. Fatalities due to poisoning with aluminum phosphide (Rice Pill) and methadone. Drug Research., 2022 Feb;, 72(02), 82-85. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-1647-2222
[10]
Mahmoudi, GA; Astaraki, P.; Mohtashami, AZ; Ahadi, M. Nacetylcysteine overdose after acetaminophen poisoning. International medical case reports journal., 2015 Feb 27, 65-9. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/IMCRJ.S74563
[11]
Rotem, Leshem; David, Weisburd Epigenetics and hot spots of crime: Rethinking the relationship between genetics and criminal behavior. sage J., 2019, 35(2) Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1043986219828924?journalCode=ccja
[12]
Maud, C.; Ryan, J.; McIntosh, J.E. The role of oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) DNA methylation (DNAm) in human social and emotional functioning: A systematic narrative review. BMC Psychiatry, 2018, 18, 154. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-018-1740-9
[13]
Sabeeha, Seyed. Hasnain, E. Forensic epigenetic analysis: The path ahead. Med. Princ. Pract., 2019, 28(4), 301-308. Available at: https://karger.com/mpp/article/28/4/301/207269
[14]
Sae, Rom.; Hong; Kyoung-Jin, Shin.; Sang-Eun, Jung.; Eun Hee, Lee.; Hwan Young, Lee Platform-independent models for age prediction using DNA methylation data. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 2019, 38, 39-47. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1872497318302412
[15]
Faress, F; Ameri, M; Mojbafan, M; Aminifard, M; Marashi, SM. A Systematic Review of the Possibility of Determining Age Based on DNA Methylation of the ELOVL2 Gene in Human Samples. International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine., 2023, 13(1), 39298.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/ijmtfm.v13i1.39298]
[16]
Jung, S.E.; Lim, S.M.; Hong, S.R.; Lee, E.H.; Shin, K.J.; Lee, H.Y. DNA methylation of the ELOVL2, FHL2, KLF14, C1orf132/MIR29B2C, and TRIM59 genes for age prediction from blood, saliva, and buccal swab samples. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2019, 38, 1-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.09.010] [PMID: 30300865]
[17]
Lee, H.Y.; An, J.H.; Jung, S.E.; Oh, Y.N.; Lee, E.Y.; Choi, A.; Yang, W.I.; Shin, K.J. Genome-wide methylation profiling and a multiplex construction for the identification of body fluids using epigenetic markers. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2015, 17, 17-24.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.03.002] [PMID: 25796047]
[18]
Astaraki, P.; Baghchi, B.; Ahadi, M. Diagnosis of acute nasal fractures using ultrasound and CT scan. Annals of Medicine and Surgery., 2022 Jun 1;, 78, 103860.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103860] [PMID: 35734733]
[19]
Suchiman, H.; Eka, D.; Roderick, C.; Slieker; Dennis, Kremer.; Eline Slagboom, P.; Bastiaan, T.; Heijmans; Elmar, W. Tobi Design, measurement and processing of region-specific DNA methylation assays: the mass spectrometry-based method EpiTYPER. Sec.Epigenomics and Epigenetics, 2015, 6 Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2015.00287/full
[20]
Fuduan, Peng.; Lei, Feng.; Jing, Chen.; Ling, Wang.; Pei, Li.; Anquan, Ji. Validation of methylation-based forensic age estimation in time-series bloodstains on FTA cards and gauze at room temperature conditions. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 2019, 40, 168-174. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1872497318306392
[21]
Freire-Aradas, A.; Phillips, C.; Mosquera-Miguel, A.; Girَón-Santamaría, L. Development of a methylation marker set for forensic age estimation using analysis of public methylation data and the Agena Bioscience EpiTYPER system. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 2016, 24, 65-74. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1872497316301065
[22]
Silva, D.S.B.S.; Antunes, J.; Balamurugan, K.; Duncan, G.; Alho, C.S.; McCord, B. Developmental validation studies of epigenetic DNA methylation markers for the detection of blood, semen and saliva samples. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2016, 23, 55-63.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.01.017] [PMID: 27010659]
[23]
Forat, S.; Huettel, B.; Reinhardt, R.; Fimmers, R.; Haidl, G.; Denschlag, D. Methylation markers for the identification of body fluids and tissues from forensic trace evidence. PLoS ONE, 2016, 11(2), e0147973. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0147973
[24]
Mahmoudi, GA; Ahadi, M; Fouladvand, A; Rezaei, B; Bodagh, Z; Astaraki, P. Evaluation of allergic reactions following intravenous infusion of polyvalent antivenom in snakebite patients. Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry-Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents)., 2021 Dec 1;, 20(4), 367-72. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/aiaamc/2021/00000020/00000004/art00007
[25]
Athina, Vidaki.; Manfred, Kayser Recent progress, methods and perspectives in forensic epigenetics. Forensic Science International Genetics, 2018, 37, 180-195. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1872497318304204
[26]
Kader, F.; Ghai, M. DNA methylation and application in forensic sciences. Forensic Sci. Int., 2015, 249, 255-265.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.01.037] [PMID: 25732744]
[28]
Vidaki, A.; Daniel, B.; Court, D.S. Forensic DNA methylation profiling-potential opportunities and challenges. Forensic Science International Genetics, 2013 Sep 1;, 7(5), 499-507. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1872497313001142
[29]
Violent aggression predicted by multiple pre-adult environmental hits | Molecular Psychiatry. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-018-0043-3
[30]
Nestler, E.J.; Lüscher, C. The molecular basis of drug addiction: linking epigenetic to synaptic and circuit mechanisms. Neuron, 2019, 102(1), 48-59.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.016] [PMID: 30946825]
[31]
Walker, D.M.; Cates, H.M.; Heller, E.A.; Nestler, E.J. Regulation of chromatin states by drugs of abuse. Curr. Opin. Neurobiol., 2015, 30, 112-121.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2014.11.002] [PMID: 25486626]
[32]
Histone post-translational modifications - cause and consequence of genome function | Nature Reviews Genetics. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-022-00468-7
[33]
Circular, R.N.A. Circular RNA CpG island hypermethylationassociated silencing in human cancer - PMC. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6044373/
[34]
Silva, S.S.; Lopes, C.; Teixeira, A.L.; Sousa, M.J.C.; Medeiros, R. Forensic miRNA: Potential biomarker for body fluids? Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2015, 14, 1-10.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2014.09.002] [PMID: 25280377]
[35]
Sirker, M.; Fimmers, R.; Schneider, P.M.; Gomes, I. Evaluating the forensic application of 19 target microRNAs as biomarkers in body fluid and tissue identification. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2017, 27, 41-49.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.11.012] [PMID: 27940410]
[36]
Establishment and application of miRNA detection method for forensic body fluid identification. Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2018, (6), 6-10. Available at: https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/wpr-701472
[37]
Fang, C.; Zhao, J.; Li, J.; Qian, J.; Liu, X.; Sun, Q.; Liu, W.; Tian, Y.; Ji, A.; Wu, H.; Yan, J. Massively parallel sequencing of microRNA in bloodstains and evaluation of environmental influences on miRNA candidates using realtime polymerase chain reaction. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2019, 38, 32-38.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.10.001] [PMID: 30321749]
[38]
High‐throughput miRNA sequencing and identification of biomarkers for forensically relevant biological fluids - Seashols‐Williams - 2016 - ELECTROPHORESIS - Wiley Online Library. Available at: https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/elps.201600258?casa_token=RrGAtbQj08MAAAAA%3AsBYixkEfmtABdBGKzEmtp1gIkQt5UfOdPt-QFzOlr0io0XqH_zGq5rdLzUxGJWvNGn5-0O7K5uAAOA
[39]
Sauer, E.; Extra, A.; Cachée, P.; Courts, C. Identification of organ tissue types and skin from forensic samples by microRNA expression analysis. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2017, 28, 99-110.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2017.02.002] [PMID: 28193507]
[40]
Carolyn, A.; Lewis, B.S.; Tiffany, R.; Layne, M.S.; Sarah, J. Detection of microRNAs in DNA extractions for forensic biological source identification. Journal of Forensic Sci, 2019, 64(6), 1823-1830. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1556-4029.14070
[41]
Long-term persistence of saliva-derived microrna in human dental calculus for forensic investigations. Available at: https://ricerca.uniba.it/handle/11586/234691.18
[42]
The stability and persistence of blood and semen mRNA and miRNA targets for body fluid identification in environmentally challenged and laundered samples - ScienceDirect. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1344622319300355
[43]
Liu, D; Zhu, L; Ni, T; Guan, FL; Chen, YJ; Ma, DL; Goh, ELK; Chen, T Ago2 and Dicer1 are involved in METH-induced locomotor sensitization in mice via biogenesis of miRNA. Addict Biol, 2019, 24(3), 498-508.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/adb.12616] [PMID: 29516602]
[44]
Li, Zhu; Jie, Zhu; Yufeng, Liu.; Yanjiong, Chen; Yanlin, Li; Sisi, Chen; Tao, Li Chronic methamphetamine regulates the expression of MicroRNAs and putative target genes in the nucleus accumbens of mice. JNR, 2015, 93(10), 1600-1610. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jnr.23605?casa_token=LMA_o-NZo5MAAAAA%3Ag8QNJbsoYDL8Wyf_uT1Kbo5TCJakLKZvIa6TiqvokpZZEVKWZ-jDGboc5VFMTyqUoZUBTiDcRFcbQ
[45]
piRNAs and PIWI proteins: Regulators of gene expression in development and stem cells | Development | The Company of Biologists. Available at: https://journals.biologists.com/dev/article/145/17/dev161786/19286/piRNAs-and-PIWI-proteins-regulators-of-gene
[46]
Wang, S.; Wang, Z.; Tao, R.; He, G.; Liu, J.; Li, C.; Hou, Y. The potential use of Piwi-interacting RNA biomarkers in forensic body fluid identification: A proof-of-principle study. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 2019, 39, 129-135.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.01.002] [PMID: 30640084]
[47]
IJMS | Free Full-Text | Non-Coding RNAs in saliva: Emerging biomarkers for molecular. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/16/4/8676
[48]
Wang, S.; Wang, Z. From forensic epigenetics to forensic epigenomics: Broadening DNA investigative intelligence. Genome Biol, 2017, 18, 238.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13059-017-1373-1]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy