scholarly journals Age Estimation with DNA: From Forensic DNA Fingerprinting to Forensic (Epi)Genomics: A Mini-Review

Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 326-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walther Parson
Keyword(s):  
Dna Fingerprinting ◽  
Age Estimation ◽  
Forensic Genetics ◽  
Rflp Analysis ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
High Molecular Weight Dna ◽  
Str Loci ◽  
Eyewitness Reports ◽  
Forensic Scientists

Forensic genetics developed from protein-based techniques a quarter of a century ago and became famous as “DNA fingerprinting,” this being based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of high-molecular-weight DNA. The amplification of much smaller short tandem repeat (STR) sequences using the polymerase chain reaction soon replaced RFLP analysis and advanced to become the gold standard in genetic identification. Meanwhile, STR multiplexes have been developed and made commercially available which simultaneously amplify up to 30 STR loci from as little as 15 cells or fewer. The enormous information content that comes with the large variety of observed STR genotypes allows for genetic individualisation (with the exception of identical twins). Carefully selected core STR loci form the basis of intelligence-led DNA databases that provide investigative leads by linking unsolved crime scenes and criminals through their matched STR profiles. Nevertheless, the success of modern DNA fingerprinting depends on the availability of reference material from suspects. In order to provide new investigative leads in cases where such reference samples are absent, forensic scientists started to explore the prediction of phenotypic traits from the DNA of the evidentiary sample. This paradigm change now uses DNA and epigenetic markers to forecast characteristics that are useful to triage further investigative work. So far, the best investigated externally visible characteristics are eye, hair and skin colour, as well as geographic ancestry and age. Information on the chronological age of a stain donor (or any sample donor) is elemental for forensic investigations in a number of aspects and has, therefore, been explored by researchers in some detail. Among different methodological approaches tested to date, the methylation-sensitive analysis of carefully selected DNA markers (CpG sites) has brought the most promising results by providing prediction accuracies of ±3–4 years, which can be comparable to, or even surpass those from, eyewitness reports. This mini-review puts recent developments in age estimation via (epi)genetic methods in the context of the requirements and goals of forensic genetics and highlights paths to follow in the future of forensic genomics.

scholarly journals EVOLUTION OF DNA SEQUENCING METHODS AND PROSPECTS FOR THEIR USE IN FORENSIC DNA EXAMINATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (87) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanna Bazyliuk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequencing ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Snp Markers ◽  
Degraded Dna ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Biological Origin ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
Str Loci

The study of the human genome makes it possible to use genetic information to identify individual traits, diagnosis of diseases and forecasting and prevention of their development, promotes a personal approach when choosing treatment methods; population research, ethnogenesis and evolutionary processes. Introduction of DNA sequencing methods in domestic genetic fingerprinting will contribute to a more informative establishment of human genetic traits. The main purpose of molecular genetic research is to establish the genetic features of missing people, their relatives, to conduct paternity, to identify traces of biological origin and their identification. This article talks about the gradual development of DNA sequencing technology, which is conventionally divided into three types. The first type includes sequencing using capillary electrophoresis and pyrosequencing. The second type is high-throughput pyrosequencing, semiconductor, cyclic ligase, and the use of fluorescently labeled precursors, based on the sequencing of millions of DNA fragments simultaneously. The third stage includes methods that do not require prior sample preparation. These are methods of nanoporous sequencing, sequencing of one molecule, one-molecular sequencing. Today, each of the sequencing methods is aimed at performing different tasks. A number of methods are promising in the field of molecular-genetic examination. In world jurisprudence, sequencing is implemented mainly with the help of devices - Illumina’s, MiSeq FGx, Ion Torrent PGM from ThermoFisher and Ion S5. Research in forensic expertise of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), sequencing of STR-loci and mitochondrial DNA, STR-loci and SNP-markers of the Y chromosome, will provide a high level of information, determination of human phenotypic traits, the possibility of establishing genetic traits from significantly degraded DNA. This article deals with modern problems of identification of human genetic traits and the prospect of introduction of the newest methods of sequencing for their qualitative and complete establishment.

scholarly journals Identificación de cadáveres sometidos a altas temperaturas, a partir de las características macroscópicas de sus órganos dentales y la aplicabilidad de la genética forense / Identification of Bodies Exposed to High Temperatures Based on Macroscopic...

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (74) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Del Socorro Barraza Salcedo ◽  
Martha Leonor Rebolledo Cobos
Keyword(s):  
High Temperatures ◽  
Dental Pulp ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Forensic Genetics ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Dental Tissues ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Forensic Genetic

<p><strong>ABSTRACT. </strong><em><strong>Background:</strong></em> Forensic dentistry in cases of incineration provides scientific elements that allow the identification of bodies, by analyzing dental organs, through the isolation of DNA obtained from the pulp as an alternative to confirm the identity of the victim. When the degree of temperature is highly elevated, dental tissues are vulnerable and therefore the DNA pulp is not salvageable, wasting resources and time by lack of standards to identify macroscopic characteristics that indicate this situation reliably. <em><strong>Objective:</strong></em> To describe the main features of teeth subjected to high temperatures and the relationship of these to the viability of their DNA, as a contribution to forensic genetic identification. <em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> A literature search for three databases were used; Pubmed, EBSCO and Google academician, 50 articles were selected in several languages, which made regarding the descriptors "cremated teeth; violence; Forensic Odontology; ID; DNA samples; dental pulp". <em><strong>Results:</strong></em> Most authors reported the resistance of dental tissues when subjected to high temperatures and others showed the success of the identification through dental comparisons. <em><strong>Conclusions:</strong></em> A successful identification evidenced by DNA extracted from bone and dental remains. The literature reviewed suggests that up to certain temperatures, can be carried out identification by forensic genetics of cremated victims by DNA contained in dental pulp. Strict national referencing was observed in the physical characteristics or incinerated dental macroscopic bodies.</p>

PCR-based genetic identification of marlin and other billfish

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. H. Innes ◽  
P. M. Grewe ◽  
R. D. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Genetic Test ◽  
Rflp Analysis ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Dna Molecule ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
D Loop ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
Species Specific

A genetic test was developed for the identification of the six species of billfish found in Australian waters (black marlin, Indo–Pacific blue marlin, striped marlin, Indo–Pacific sailfish, shortbill spearfish and broadbill swordfish). The test was based on the PCR–RFLP analysis of a 1400 bp region of the mitochondrial DNA molecule, the d-loop, using four restriction enzymes (Hinf I, Rsa I and Sau3A I andTaq I). A total of 33 composite haplotypes were observed among 160 fish; all were species-specific. Three of the species—black marlin, striped marlin and broadbill swordfish—showed sufficient intra-specific variation to be useful in population structure analyses.

Intragenomic recombination in the highly leukotoxic JP2 clone of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Microbiology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 151 (10) ◽  
pp. 3371-3379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten T. Eriksen ◽  
Dorte Haubek ◽  
Knud Poulsen
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Dna Fingerprinting ◽  
Restriction Enzyme ◽  
Multilocus Sequence Typing ◽  
African Descent ◽  
Rflp Analysis ◽  
Aggressive Periodontitis ◽  
Genome Rearrangements ◽  
Actinobacillus Actinomycetemcomitans

The highly leukotoxic JP2 clone of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is strongly associated with aggressive periodontitis in adolescents of African descent. DNA fingerprinting using the frequently cutting restriction enzyme MspI and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) showed that five strains of this clone were genetically virtually identical, although ribotyping of the six rrn genes and EcoRI RFLP analysis of the seven IS150-like elements revealed differences. PCR analyses demonstrated that these multi-copy sequences are subject to intragenomic homologous recombination, resulting in translocations or large inversions. The genome rearrangements were reflected in differences among 25 strains representing the JP2 clone in DNA fingerprinting using the rare-cutting restriction enzyme XhoI and resolved by PFGE. XhoI DNA fingerprinting provides a tool for studying local epidemiology, including transmission of this particularly pathogenic clone of A. actinomycetemcomitans.

An ‘Other-Race’ Effect in Age Estimation from Faces

Perception ◽  
10.1068/p3122 ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1107-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedwige Dehon ◽  
Serge Brédart
Keyword(s):  
Age Estimation ◽  
Discrimination Task ◽  
Sex Discrimination ◽  
Person Recognition ◽  
Race Effect ◽  
Eyewitness Reports ◽  
Age Perception

Previous studies have shown that, in person-recognition tasks, people perform better for faces belonging to their own race than for those belonging to another race. Recently, however, this ‘other-race’ effect has also been found in a sex-discrimination task (O'Toole et al, 1996 Perception25 669–676). In the present study, we investigated whether this finding extends to age perception. Caucasian and African participants were asked to estimate the age of Caucasian and African faces. The main result of this experiment was a significant ‘race of subject’ x ‘race of face’ inter-action showing that Caucasian participants performed better at evaluating Caucasian faces than African faces. However, African participants performed equally with both type of faces. This result is explained by the Africans' time of residence in Belgium. The implication of this ‘other-race’ effect for age estimation is discussed with respect to eyewitness reports.

scholarly journals Analysis of allele frequencies of the selected 15 autosomal STR markers in Tikrit population – Iraq with comparison to Middle Eastern, African, and Europeans

2021 ◽  
pp. 75-84
Author(s):  
Maan Hasan Salih ◽  
Akeel Hussain Ali Al-Assie ◽  
Majeed Arsheed Sabbah
Keyword(s):  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Human Genetics ◽  
Forensic Genetics ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Allele Frequencies ◽  
Match Probability ◽  
Discrimination Power ◽  
Str Loci ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
Autosomal Str

Short tandem repeats (STRs) have been recommended as the highest polymorphic loci among the humana DNA regions. Therefore, STRs are agreeable to many genetic fields like forensic, population genetics and anthropological studies. The main aim of this research is to evaluate the autosomal STRs in Tikrit city-Iraq, to expand the human genetics database and forensic genetics analysis. The DNA database was obtained from 306 unrelated volunteers from native Tikrit population-Iraq, using 15 autosomal STR loci. The current study determined the allele frequencies in the Tikrit population and then compared them with other national Iraqi populations as well as with populations in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The highest level of heterozygosity was observed in D8S1179 and TH01 loci (0.797), while the less level was shown by CSF1PO (0.48). The departure from HWE Equilibrium was recorded in only 3 STR loci from a total of 15 loci analyzed (p<0.003). The Combined Match Probability (CMP) for 15 autosomal STR was 1 in 7.89208×10-19 and the Combined Discrimination Power (CDP) was 0.9999999997. The discrimination power (DP) was especially high in D2S1338, D18S51, D19S433 and D21S11. Based on the results observed in a Dendrogram, Tikrit population was clustered with other populations, likely reflecting the historical and geographical factors. D2S1338, D18S51, D19S433 and D21S11 markers were recognized as suitable for forensic genetics analysis in Tikrit population. Also, the 15 STRs markers provide information for the studies of genetic distances between the current study and other included populations to be compared with this study.

Genetic identification of South African Artemia species: invasion, replacement and co-occurrence

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 775-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios D. Baxevanis ◽  
Stefania Maniatsi ◽  
Dimitrios Kouroupis ◽  
Konstantinos Marathiotis ◽  
Ilias Kappas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Rflp Analysis ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Complete Replacement ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
First Time

Detailed molecular data of Artemia (Crustacea, Anostraca) from South Africa are scarce. Here, we provide for the first time genetic data on the species status and phylogeography of Artemia from this region after an extensive sampling expedition. Our 16S rRNA RFLP analysis of 27 Artemia populations, including seven from South African sites, provides evidence for the presence of a mixed bisexual and parthenogenetic component in this area. Phylogenetic and network analyses reveal that three (out of seven) Artemia populations from South Africa belong to the invasive A. franciscana, two of them belong to A. salina while the last two contain both parthenogenetic and bisexual (A. salina) individuals. From a total of 18 haplotypes identified, seven were recorded from South Africa. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of A. franciscana in this region. Its invasiveness is reaffirmed by evidence for the complete replacement of the native A. salina population from Velddrif Saltworks. However, in other cases, parthenogens seem to modify the capacity of A. franciscana to replace natives. Results on the genetic identification of South African Artemia provide insights into the dynamics of invasion and co-occurrence and highlight effects on species interactions and on biodiversity in inland aquatic invertebrates.

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