As precisely as possible! Molecular methods of postmortem interval prediction - current prospects and limitations.

Abstract

Determining the time passing since death, also known as post-mortem interval (PMI), is one of the primary duties of forensic medicine. However, standard methods of PMI estimation only sometimes allow for accurate determination of its value because many internal and external factors influence the estimate's accuracy. In recent years, several studies have reported using molecular biology and genetics methods in PMI estimation. Due to the promising results obtained in both animal and human models, these methods can replace existing techniques in the future and allow PMI to be determined more precisely. The presented narrative review analyzes methods of molecular biology already available and used to estimate PMI, outlines the latest reports on determining PMI using molecular methods, and summarizes research on using RNA, DNA, and other biochemical molecules for PMI estimation. Moreover, the presented review indicates limitations of using molecular methods for molecular PMI estimation that need to be solved before entering forensic practice and underlines prospects for further research in this area.