DUGi

Evaluation of spectral profiles in human postmortem samples for the diagnosis of death from submersion

http://dugi.udg.edu/item/http:@@@@hdl.handle.net@@10256@@28644

Background: The diagnosis of drowning represents a considerable challenge in forensic practice. Typically, it is made by excluding other potential causes of death while concurrently identifying key signs of drowning. However, there are no pathognomonic findings or definitive laboratory tests that can confirm drowning as the cause of death, and no single diagnostic marker exists as a conclusive proof of death by submersion. Objectives: In light of these limitations, it is necessary to develop rapid, cost-effective and efficient methodologies for the postmortem diagnosis of such cases. The present project aims to explore the hypothesis that specific spectral profiles can be identified in human postmortem samples that allow for an accurate characterization of negative or positive samples for the diagnosis of death by submersion, and differentiation from other causes of death. Methods: Mass spectra from samples collected from submerged cadavers will be acquired using an Autoflex maX instrument with a Time-of-Flight analyser. The MALDITOF MS analyses will be coupled with artificial intelligence methods (ANNs). Results: It is expected to develop new and efficient MALDI-TOF MS and machine learning-based methodologies to discriminate spectral fingerprints of submersion in postmortem serum samples, providing a new tool for postmortem diagnosis of submersion

3