MicroRNAs as Useful Tools to Estimate Time Since Death. A Systematic Review of Current Literature

Estimating the time of death remains most challenging question in forensic medicine, because post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation can be a remarkably difficult goal to achieve. The aim this review is analyze potential microRNAs (miRNAs) evaluate PMI. MiRNAs have been studied as hallmarks and biomarkers several pathologies also showed interesting applications science, such high sensible body fluid tissue, for wound age determination PMI evaluation due their low molecular weight tissue-specific expression. present systematic was carried out according Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. We performed an electronic search PubMed, Science Direct Scopus, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) from inception these databases 12 August 2020. terms were (“PMI miRNA” or “PMI micro RNA”) (“miRNA” “time death”) title, abstract keywords. Through analysis scientific literature regarding uses miRNAs, has emerged that intrinsic characteristics molecules, subsequent resistance degradation, make them suitable endogenous markers order determine However, further larger studies with human samples standardized protocols are still needed.