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Pego AMF, Knaven EJ, van de Plas APC, Brouwers JF, Cuypers E, Flinders B, Heeren RMA, van Asten AC, de Rooij BM. Untargeted metabolomics for lifestyle biomarker discovery in human hair. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 356:111938. [PMID: 38301432 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
There is a risk of crimes remaining unsolved when no matching DNA profiles or fingermarks are found. If this is the case, forensic investigations are faced with a significant shortage of evidence and information regarding the unknown perpetrator and/or victim as well as any missing persons. However, a rather commonly found biological trace encountered at crime scenes is human hair. As hair acts as a biochemical reservoir, it may contain valuable information regarding one's characteristics and habits. This study aimed to build an analytical method capable of determining a marker set of relevant metabolites in hair, eventually building up a profile of its donor. To find potential markers, an untargeted metabolomics approach was developed to select and identify statistically significant features. For that purpose, a total of 68 hair samples were collected at several hairdresser shops in varying neighbourhoods. Compound extraction was achieved via methanolic incubation overnight and analysis performed using a high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) Orbitrap Q Exactive Focus. The acquired data was uploaded and statistically evaluated using two free online software/libraries, where a total of eight compounds have given a match on both tools. Their presumptive identity was confirmed using reference standards and consequently added to a dynamic target donor profiling list. These results show the potential of using untargeted metabolomics for the search for lifestyle biomarkers capable of differentiating individuals. Such tools are of paramount importance in a forensic setting with little or no evidence available and no clear tactical leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M F Pego
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands; Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, NY, USA.
| | - Edward J Knaven
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Anke P C van de Plas
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Eva Cuypers
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Belgium; M4I, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute, University Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Bryn Flinders
- M4I, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute, University Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ron M A Heeren
- M4I, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute, University Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Arian C van Asten
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ben M de Rooij
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
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