Rapid Identification of Evanescent Trauma in Skin Tissue

Predictive modeling is being used in many biological and clinical applications to rapidly identify disease, infection, and trauma. However, because of the technology now available, it is also being used for forensic examinations. According to a recent study published in Vibrational Spectroscopy, researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong University demonstrated a new predictive model that can help rapidly and accurately identify evanescent trauma in skin tissue (1).

Evanescent trauma, which refers to the rapid postmortem degradation and autolysis of body tissues, presents a formidable challenge in forensic examinations (1). Numerous researchers have conducted studies analyzing and identifying evanescent trauma and skin lesions (2,3). As the previous studies have acknowledged, traditional techniques often fail to identify trauma that occurs shortly before death (1). This is mostly because of the swift and extensive tissue decomposition (1). The new model combines forensic spectroscopy and chemometric analysis to address this issue, offering a more precise and timely method for trauma identification (1).

Close up of cooking oil burn scar on a woman's hands. The skin damage in first-degree on outer layer skin. | Image Credit: © myboys.me - stock.adobe.com

In this study, the research team, led Kai Zhang and Zhenyuan Wang, proposed a new predictive model that promises rapid and accurate identification of evanescent trauma in skin tissue. For their model, the researchers utilized a combination of Fourier-transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and chemometrics to analyze skin tissue samples. By examining the mean spectra and employing principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), they identified key biomolecules such as proteins and lipids that exhibit distinct patterns of change postmortem (1). These biomolecules helped the research team differentiate between the control and trauma groups.

Therefore, the study’s results with the PLS-DA model were good. The model achieved area under the curve (AUC) values of 89.55% and 94.67% for the training and testing data sets, respectively (1). For fresh-phase trauma recognition, the model achieved a perfect AUC of 100%, whereas the evanescent-phase trauma recognition model attained AUC values of 92.52% and 98.77% (1). These high AUC values indicate that the model can identify trauma in its evanescent state.

Beyond forensic examinations, this study showcased a new method for diagnosing trauma. Because the research team’s predictive model allows for rapid and accurate analysis, it is best suited to be used in the medical field, because the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose trauma can improve treatment outcomes for patients (1). Additionally, the model's high resolution and discriminative power can aid in criminal investigations, providing objective and reliable evidence in cases involving trauma (1).

By refining these techniques and expanding their application, scientists can enhance their ability to diagnose and investigate trauma, ultimately contributing to advancements in both medical and criminal law. The research conducted by Zhang, Wang, and their team at Xi’an Jiaotong University demonstrate that their approach in identifying evanescent trauma using FT-IR spectroscopy and chemometrics is an important step for accuracy and speed in trauma diagnosis, with implications for both the forensic and medical communities (1).

This new predictive model showcases the advancement of spectroscopic technology, and future studies should see this model being tested out in more medical and criminal law applications.

References

(1) Zhang, Y.; Wang, G.; Liang, X.; et al. A Forensic Spectroscopic Identification Analysis on Skin Evanescent Trauma by Chemometrics. Vib. Spectrosc. 2024, 132, 103687. DOI: 10.1016/j.vibspec.2024.103687

(2) Zuelgaray, E.; Battistella, M.; Salle de Chou, C.; et al. Increased Severity and Epidermal Alterations in Persistent Versus Evanescent Skin Lesions in Adult-Onset Still Disease. JAAD 2018, 79 (5), 969–971. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.05.020

(3) Michailidou, D.; Shin, J.; Forde, I.; et al. Typical Evanescent and Atypical Persistent Polymorphic Cutaneous Rash in an Adult Brazilian with Still’s Disease: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Auto Immun. Highlights 2015, 6 (3), 39–46. DOI: 10.1007/s13317-015-0071-9