刑事案件DNA检验采样与鉴定立法现状

人类DNA遗传特征多态性使DNA技术成为各国警方侦办案件的重要技术手段，但DNA检验鉴定采样合法性和结论可采性须由立法规定。众多国家和地区针对DNA采样和鉴定结论应用制定了相关法律法规。我国相关法律细则尚处空白，因此，应尽快制定我国DNA鉴定采样与应用法规，规范DNA鉴定样本采集与证据采信。     

论DNA鉴定结论的证据效力研究

DNA分析技术发展迅速,具有很多其它法庭科学技术不可比拟的优点,广泛用于刑事案件侦查、民事纠纷解决等。虽然我国DNA鉴定技术上与国际水平差距不大,但因为缺乏相应证据规则,DNA鉴定结论在应用上表现出诸多问题。为了规范DNA鉴定结论的应用,本文从DNA鉴定使用的遗传标记衡量DNA鉴定结论的证明力大小,从鉴定机构是否合法、受案程序是否得当、DNA鉴定过程是否符合17025标准等方面判断DNA鉴定结论是否具有证明效力。在认定DNA鉴定结论有证明效力的前提下判断其证明力大小,即判断能否达到个体识别和亲权鉴定的目的。此外,呼吁我国尽早出台DNA证据规则,以规范DNA鉴定结论的应用。     

制定我国罪犯DNA数据库管理规范的探讨

在司法鉴定领域,基因遗传分析技术已广泛地应用于个体识别和亲权鉴定检案之中,特别是利用DNA分型技术建立罪犯DNA数据库作为刑事案件侦破手段的设想,就其技术而言已逐步走向成熟和现实.近几年来美国和西欧一些国家相继建立了以PCR-STR分型技术为基础的罪犯DNA数据库,并且也已制定了相关的法律法规以此规范数据库的整个运作过程.1999年我国司法部司法鉴定科学技术研究所开展和完成了"中国罪犯DNA数据库模式库"的研究工作,可以预计正式建立我国国家罪犯DNA数据库只是个时间问题,因此进行有关罪犯DNA数据库法律法规制定的研究工作是必须的,它是我国国家罪犯DNA数据库得以顺利建立和高效运作的重要保障之一.     

DNA鉴定技术及其在诉讼法视野下的审查判断

DNA鉴定技术有着强大的同一认定功能,文中具体讨论了DNA鉴定的技术原理与精准度。DNA鉴定结论与其他诉讼证据相结合,成为了法庭科学的强有力武器。但从法庭科学实践来看,DNA鉴定结论和其他鉴定结论一样,也是证据的一种,将DNA鉴定结论应用到司法领域时还需经审查判断,建立严格的采信标准,使之与司法规则相契合,并需要相关法律来规范DNA鉴定数据的使用。     

山羊10个STR基因座遗传多态性

随着我国法制建设的发展,涉及动物个体识别的案件逐年增多,山羊是我国农牧地区常见的家畜,相关案件的审理可能需要个体识别或亲缘鉴定结论作为依据.本文对山羊的10个STR基因座遗传多态性进行初步调查,旨在为法医遗传学鉴定和相关研究及实践提供基础数据. 1材料与方法 1.1样本来源和DNA提取 123只山羊血液样本采自山东青岛市和莱芜市.采用QIAGEN公司的M48 DNA试剂盒,参照说明书提取样本模板DNA,应用荧光光度计检测模板DNA浓度与质量后备检.     

实证和比较法视野下的强制采样研究

“强制采样”在我国刑事诉讼中并无明确规定,立法只规定了“人身检查”制度,然而违背当事人意愿提取人身检材的现象在实践中却普遍存在.实证考查发现:立法的相对滞后造成了强制采样的权力运作不当,执法人员对采样的适用程序和做法不一.通过比较借鉴我国台湾地区及美国刑事诉讼中的相关制度在分类、程序与做法、发动要件等方面的差异,发现我国强制采样处分分类笼统、启动条件宽泛、审批环节阙如,强制采样所获之鉴定意见却普遍被采纳.我国强制采样之完善必须实现“发现真实”和“人权保障”的价值平衡,实现强制采样行为的必要控制,实现“鉴定客体化”向“鉴定主体化”的地位转变.     

道路交通事故鉴定中DNA证据价值的正确运用

近十多年来。DNA分析技术发展迅速,具有很多其它法庭科学技术不可比拟的优点,广泛用于刑事案件侦查、民事纠纷解决等。DNA证据被引入道路交通事故鉴定中就是其中一个应用领域。由于DNA证据的获得是一个由人员操作、完成的过程,因此,DNA证据的价值也受多方面的影响。为了规范DNA鉴定结论在道路交通事故鉴定中的应用,通过对办案人员的DNA证据意识、采样、保存和运送生物检材环节应注意的问题等方面,并结合工作实践提出了若干建议。     

刑事DNA采样和分析中的法理思考

刑事DNA采样和分析是查明案件事实的重要侦查措施。刑事DNA采样可能会侵犯被采样人的身体权、人身自由权和反对强迫自证其罪特权,不当的刑事DNA分析可能会侵犯其基因隐私权。我国刑事诉讼法关于DNA采样和分析的规定存在诸多缺陷,应进一步完善对第三人采样的程序规范、强制采样的标准和审查核准主体以及强制采样适用的案件类型。同时确立先非私密样本后私密样本的采样程序,限定DNA分析目的仅为同一性识别。     

Y染色体法医DNA检验策略

法医DNA检验在实际工作中发挥了重要作用,其中针对Y染色体进行的DNA检验,可以开展家系排查和辅助父系亲缘鉴定,为案件侦查提供重要线索。本文针对Y染色体DNA检验,讨论完整利用染色体具有的信息,制定整体检验策略,以期为相关研究和试剂盒开发研制提供参考。     

触摸痕中接触DNA检验概述

接触DNA是指人体与客体相接触后遗留在客体表面的细胞内含有的遗传物质。接触DNA的检验鉴定作为一项较新的技术,在日常工作实践中已被广泛应用。基于接触DNA检验的相关研究在国内外均受到重视,本文借助相关文献,对皮肤触摸痕中接触DNA的形成原理、发现与提取、检验中的影响因素以及对检验结果正确地解读和利用等问题进行阐述,以期为相关研究和应用提供参考和借鉴。     

Teeth as a source of DNA for forensic identification of human remains: A Review

Teeth and bones are frequently the only sources of DNA available for identification of degraded or fragmented human remains. The unique composition of teeth and their location in the jawbone provide additional protection to DNA compared to bones making them a preferred source of DNA in many cases. Despite this, post-mortem changes in the structure and composition of teeth, and the location and diagenesis of DNA within them are poorly understood. This review summarises current knowledge of tooth morphology with respect to DNA content and preservation, and discusses the way in which post-mortem changes will affect the recovery of DNA from teeth under a range of commonly used extraction protocols. We highlight the benefits and pitfalls of using specific tooth tissues for DNA extraction and make recommendations for tooth selection and sampling that will maximise DNA typing success. A comprehensive understanding of tooth structure and an appreciation of the relationship between DNA and mineralized tissues in post-mortem teeth are critical for optimal sample selection. More informed sampling methods that target specific tooth tissues will increase the likelihood of successful genetic analysis and allow for efficient and timely missing persons case work and disaster victim identification response.     

Who Needs Special Needs? On the Constitutionality of Collecting DNA and Other Biometric Data from Arrestees

Several commentators have argued that the police practice of taking DNA samples during custodial arrests is an unconstitutional search and seizure. This article proposes a "biometric identification exception" to the warrant and probable-cause requirements of the Fourth Amendment that would encompass certain systems of DNA sampling on arrest.     

Use of a commercially available hydrogel as a novel DNA surface sampling tool

A common requirement in the military, law enforcement, and forensic mission space is the need to collect trace samples from surfaces using a method that not only readily captures the sample but also retains its integrity for downstream identification and characterization. Additionally, collecting samples from three-dimensional objects (e.g., shell casings) is a challenge for which there is currently no validated standardized approach. Recently, hydrogels have been shown to have the potential for surface collection of trace bacterial spores, amino acids, and DNA. To test whether these hydrogels can serve as a viable collection medium for sampling DNA from surfaces, we carried out a series of preliminary tests examining collection efficiency and suitability of hydrogel material to recover samples of diluted, dried human DNA on a smooth polycarbonate surface. The recovery of surface DNA using a commercially available hydrogel was examined, and the efficiency compared to samples collected using a standard foam collection swab. DNA collected using the hydrogel and swab methods was then examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis to determine whether the collection material was compatible with these downstream processes. The hydrogel material used for this study collected the experimental DNA with comparable efficiency to standard collection swabs. In addition, qPCR and STR analyses demonstrated compatibility with the hydrogel collection and extraction process. These data suggest that hydrogels have the potential to be used as sample collection materials and deserve further characterization to elucidate their utility in collection from irregularly shaped, three-dimensional surfaces/materials.     

DNA Preservation in Skeletal Elements from the World Trade Center Disaster: Recommendations for Mass Fatality Management*,†

Abstract: The World Trade Center (WTC) victim identification effort highlights taphonomic influences on the degradation of DNA from victims of mass fatality incidents. This study uses a subset of the WTC‐Human Remains Database to evaluate differential preservation of DNA by skeletal element. Recovery location, sex, and victim type (civilian, firefighter, or plane passenger) do not appear to influence DNA preservation. Results indicate that more intact elements, as well as elements encased in soft tissue, produced slightly higher identification rates than more fragmented remains. DNA identification rates by element type conform to previous findings, with higher rates generally found in denser, weight‐bearing bones. However, smaller bones including patellae, metatarsals, and foot phalanges yielded rates comparable to both femora and tibiae. These elements can be easily sampled with a disposable scalpel, and thus reduce potential DNA contamination. These findings have implications for DNA sampling guidelines in future mass fatality incidents.     

A Grass Molecular Identification System for Forensic Botany: A Critical Evaluation of the Strengths and Limitations*

Abstract: Plant material is frequently encountered in criminal investigations but often overlooked as potential evidence. We designed a DNA‐based molecular identification system for 100 Australian grasses that consisted of a series of polymerase chain reaction assays that enabled the progressive identification of grasses to different taxonomic levels. The identification system was based on DNA sequence variation at four chloroplast and two mitochondrial loci. Seventeen informative indels and 68 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were utilized as molecular markers for subfamily to species‐level identification. To identify an unknown sample to subfamily level required a minimum of four markers or nine markers for species identification. The accuracy of the system was confirmed by blind tests. We have demonstrated “proof of concept” of a molecular identification system for trace botanical samples. Our evaluation suggests that the adoption of a system that combines this approach with DNA sequencing could assist the morphological identification of grasses found as forensic evidence.     

DNA identification in mass fatality incidents

DNA identification has become an important aspect of mass fatality management as well as in other instances of difficult identification of human remains. Most large mass fatality incidents will require DNA identification. Medical examiners should prepare for such potential eventuality. Whether DNA is tested, in mass fatality incidents, DNA specimens should be obtained from remains as well as from next-of-kin for potential testing. DNA identification is neither as slow nor as expensive relative to the overall fatality management as is commonly assumed. This article sought to provide medical examiners with a framework for DNA identification in mass fatality incidents.     

法医DNA分析的其他应用

综述了法医DNA的多种用途,如人死后根据体内DNA变化情况推断死后时间间隔,利用线粒体DNA4977bp的缺失以及端粒的长度推断年龄;利用昆虫mtDNA的细胞色素氧化酶亚基I进行昆虫种属鉴定,以帮助确定人的腐尸死亡时间;利用一些食血昆虫体内的人DNA帮助了解与案件的关系;利用DNA标记进行动物如犬、牛、马及猪等个体识别与亲子鉴定,解决因动物引起的纠纷,或者利用DNA分析嫌疑人周围的动物毛发、植物及土壤微生物等,确定嫌疑人与案件的关系。     

Are these food products fraudulent? Rapid and novel triplex-direct PCR assay for meat identification

Unintentional contamination and fraudulent labeling of food, especially in halal-certified products, breach both religious and international laws. DNA-based methods are widely employed to identify trace amount of contaminants for law enforcement. Direct PCR has proved successful in the DNA analysis from degraded samples and PCR-inhibited samples, but it has never been applied to meat identification from food products. In this study, we aimed to develop a multiplex direct PCR assay for simultaneous identification of three commonly consumed meats without the need to extract DNA. Species-specific primers were designed from the mitochondrial DNA using the alignment of sequences available on GenBank. The assay was validated for its specificity, sensitivity, and usefulness in market sample analysis. The results showed that a highly specific and sensitive multiplex direct PCR assay was developed and provided the expected PCR fragment of approximately 100, 119, and 133 bp for pork (Sus scrofa), mutton (Ovis aries), and chicken (Gallus gallus), respectively. Thirty-nine market samples were tested and a small number of fraudulent labeling was detected. In conclusion, we developed a rapid and inexpensive test for three meat species. This cost- and time-saving assay could be easily adopted in the world food hubs, which are mostly third-world countries.