动物DNA分析技术及其法医学应用

动物DNA分析是法医非人源DNA分析的重要内容,对提供侦查线索和审判依据具有特殊的法医学价值.法医动物DNA分析主要涉及家养动物和野生动物两大类别.本文以动物DNA分析在法庭科学中的应用为切入点,综述了动物个体识别、亲缘鉴定、物种鉴定等,动物DNA分析中的遗传标记、检测技术等,并提出法医动物DNA分析存在的问题以及未来...     

DNA检验技术在野生动物保护中的应用

随着生物技术的发展,法医DNA检验技术在保护野生动物的工作中得到了越来越多的应用.本文介绍了全球野生动物犯罪现状及保护措施,简述了法医DNA检验技术在野生动物物种鉴定、来源地确认、个体识别和亲子鉴定等方面的实际应用,重点评述了法医DNA技术用于野生动物保护的几种常用检验方法以及各自的优缺点,探讨了法医DNA技术用于野生...     

液相电喷雾离子质谱技术在法医DNA中的应用

生物质谱技术是近年来发展较为迅速的生物分析技术之一,在对大分子生物质量测定中,其以快速、准确、灵敏等优点受到研究者的青睐。其中,液相电喷雾离子电离质谱(LC-ESI-MS)在法医DNA分析中对STR以及SNP遗传标记的检测具有独特的应用价值和广阔的应用前景。本文对ESI-MS的现状和在法医DNA分析中的应用等方面进行了综述,分析了LC-ESI-MS技术在法医学DNA分析中的优缺点,以促进其在国内法医DNA分析中的应用与发展。     

Alu家族在法医DNA分析中的应用

Alu家族是灵长类特有的短散在重复序列,在人类基因组内含量丰富,分布广泛,甲基化程度高,有种属特异性和插入变异,为法医DNA分析面临的许多问题提供了潜在的解决途径。目前,Alu元件在法医DNA分析中的应用包括:DNA定量、种属鉴定、种族鉴定、性别鉴定、个体识别和亲子鉴定,以及全基因组扩增等。本文总结各种基于Alu元件的法医DNA分析技术的原理和特点,探讨Alu元件的法医学研究和应用前景,供相关学者参考。     

法医DNA分型 第一讲 DNA多态性基本原理

DNA (脱氧核糖核酸 )是生物遗传物质。DNA分型技术在法医物证鉴定中应用日益广泛 ,在各类重大刑事案件的侦破中发挥了越来越重要的作用。近 10多年 ,是法医学发展最快的时期 ,DNA分型技术跨了两大步 :1985年建立的第一代分型技术———DNA指纹 ,实现了物证鉴定从否定到认定的历史性转变 ;进入 90年代 ,PCR (聚合酶链反应 )技术问世 ,可以在体外完成扩增复制靶DNA片段的全过程 ,是生命科学一项划世纪的进展。以PCR为基础的第二代DNA分型技术在检测灵敏度上有重大突破 ,解决了半个多世纪以来困扰法医的微量、陈旧、腐败检材鉴定的难题。DNA分型的高科技 ,以其无可争议的认定或否定的鉴定结论 ,为法庭提供确凿的证据 ,成为打击犯罪的有力武器。从本期起 ,对《法医DNA分型》进行专题讲座 ,将分期介绍DNA多态性基本原理 ,DNA分型结论的评估 ,法医DNA分型技术与方法 ,以及DNA分析技术展望等四个部分 ,以飨读者     

一例陈年骨骼DNA分析案引出的反思

近年来，法医DNA分析已成为法医物证检验的常规技术，特别是PCR-STR技术在实际应用中其检测灵敏度可达纳克级水平，从证据学的角度，这无疑使我们更加科学、有效地证实犯罪。但从发现、提取以及检验如此微量的生物物证角度，这又是对技术人员责任心的考验。本文通过一起杀人案中陈年骨骼DNA分析的检案经历，深刻体会到作为法医鉴定人认真对待检材提取、初检以及DNA分析每个细节的重要性。     

法医蛋白质组学研究进展与展望

随着质谱仪灵敏度的提升、蛋白质序列数据库的完善以及数据分析方法的成熟,蛋白质组质谱技术发展迅速,为其在犯罪调查应用奠定了良好的技术基础。蛋白质序列含有关于基因型的信息,而且蛋白质的表达水平与表型相关。因此,当生物物证没有DNA或者DNA降解非常严重,DNA检验技术无法实施或检验结果不佳时,对蛋白质序列和表达水平的检验就具有了独特的应用价值,如在毛发法医个体识别、体液斑迹组织来源等方面,可作为DNA检验技术的有效补充手段。本文综述了法医蛋白质组学的主要技术方法、法庭科学应用研究的最新进展以及在案件实际应用转化仍需重点研究的问题。     

法医DNA分析技术的拓展应用

法医DNA分析技术近30年的应用和发展,其可提供的信息量显著增加。为了最大限度地打击犯罪和侦破案件,侦查人员有必要充分挖掘法医DNA分析技术的科学内涵,借用DNA分析结果,从传统的凶杀、强奸等重大刑事案件拓展应用到系列案件的串并、入室盗窃、抢劫、盗抢机动车辆、盗窃电力通信设施、诈骗等侵财型案件的侦破中,推进相关案件侦查思路的延伸,使法医DNA分析技术真正成为侦破相关案件新的增长点。     

法医DNA实践中的伦理问题

法医DNA始终在国际法医物证检验领域中占据核心地位,技术应用早已广泛成熟。近年来,诸多学者开始关注法医DNA伦理学方面的研究,目前该研究还处于初步探索阶段。本文是在伦理学已有学术基础上,从DNA数据库建设和亲子鉴定两个方面对法医DNA伦理学思想应用现状进行了初步探讨,并且参考国内外文献资料对伦理学思想在法医DNA实践中的应用原则进行了阐述,目的在于衡量法医DNA工作是否达到伦理方面的要求,其实践意义将在DNA数据库建设和亲子鉴定中起到重要作用。     

法医DNA分析技术的现状与最新进展

本世纪法医学最引人注目的成就就是将DNA分析技术应用于法医的个人识别和亲子鉴定。1985年，Jeffreys[1]将DNA指纹技术用于检验案件，标志着法医分子遗传学这一新领域的创建。它的出现使法医学中许多难题得以解决，近两年来，世界上众多的分子遗传学家和法医学家不断将最新出现的各种DNA分析技术应用于法医学，使得法医DNA分析技术不断得以改进，各种方法的优缺点得以相互补充，极大提高了DNA检验水平。目前，这一技术正朝着做足、高识别能力、简便的方向发展。本文就日前DNA分析技术的种类、方法、优缺点等作以简公、归纳，着重介…     

Investigation of homicides interred in concrete--the Los Angeles experience

Decedents interred in concrete present unique problems and investigation of these deaths necessitates a team of forensic specialists. The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner has had five such deaths in the past 18 years. The buried cases needed layer-by-layer excavation to establish the time and cause of death. Metal detectors are often used in this process. X-rays of the interred remains were completed to help with locating the decedent's position in the concrete. The breaking of concrete in some of the cases required the use of a sledgehammer and later a chisel in a manner that would not damage the remains. Postmortem dismemberment was frequent in our cases. The decedents were all female or prepubescent children, and the perpetrators were closely related to the decedents. While concrete can interfere with determination of postmortem interval, it can also preserve the remains and assist with identification.     

Forensic Approach to an Archaeological Casework of “Vampire” Skeletal Remains in Venice: Odontological and Anthropological Prospectus*

Abstract: During the years 2006–2007, the Archeological Superintendent of Veneto (Italy) promoted a research project on mass graves located on Nuovo Lazzaretto in Venice, where the corpses of plague deaths were buried during the 16th and 17th centuries. The burials were of different stages and are believed to be the remains of plague victims from the numerous outbreaks of pestilence, which occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries. Among the fragmented and commingled human bones, an unusual burial was found. The body was laid supine, with the top half of the thorax intact, arms parallel to the rachis axis, the articulations were anatomically unaltered. Both the skull morphology and the dimensions of the caput omeris suggest the body was a woman. A brick of moderate size was found inside the oral cavity, keeping the mandible wide open. The data collected by the anthropologist were used to generate a taphonomic profile, which precluded the positioning of the brick being accidental. Likewise, the probability of the brick having come from the surrounding burial sediment was rejected, as the only other inclusions found were bone fragments from previous burials in the same area. The data collected by the odontologist were employed for age estimation and radiological dental assessment. The forensic profile was based conceptually on the “circumstances of death” and concluded that the positioning of the brick was intentional, and attributed to a symbolic burial ritual. This ritual confirms the intimate belief held at those times, between the plague and the mythological character of the vampire.     

Forensic Analysis of a Contact Lens in a Murder Case

Contact lenses have had rare relevance in trials and/or investigations. After 5 years of burial, orbital remnants were retrieved from an exhumed body and subsequently identified as a key piece of material evidence in a murder trial. The exhumed case materials were evaluated under laboratory conditions and were determined to be contact lens remnants. Contact lens fracture and burial simulation studies were performed to provide additional corroboration of the physical findings of the exhumed contact lens remnants. This material evidence was instrumental in providing factual proof refuting the defendant's testimony in the murder trial. A brief history of contact lens composition and use is provided for understanding the methods and observational results. This forensic case study represents the first published documentation of a contact lens from an exhumed body being used in a murder investigation and establishes an operational procedure for future forensic contact lens examinations.     

Antemortem and Postmortem Nonapposite Data—A Multidisciplinary Identification Strategy

Identification of human remains is often achieved by comparing documented reference data with the same type of evidence obtained from the remains. We present a case of a decomposed unidentified body, whose identity was presumed but because of the low validity range of the available data, the identification process could not be completed. Antemortem radiographs of the teeth found in the house of the reputed victim could not be compared to the edentulous cadaver and the kinship between the victim and the only living relative that could provide DNA for comparison was too tenuous. Isolated teeth found at the scene, were neither a source of DNA reference information nor questioned data to be compared to the antemortem radiographs. The strategy implemented by the investigators to reallocate the status of the isolated teeth from the questioned source to the reference source of DNA to be compared with the cadaver is presented.     

毒物代谢动力学研究在法庭科学中的应用

随着法庭科学的发展以及近年来涉及毒品、毒物等中毒案件的增加,许多研究者对毒物代谢动力学进行研究,并取得了一定的成果.本文综述毒物代谢动力学研究及其在法庭科学中的应用状况,概要介绍毒物代谢动力学的研究现状、研究方法及研究成果,以期为相关研究及实践提供参考和借鉴.     

Creating a State‐Academic Partnership to Advance a Forensic Teaching Service: Benefits and Barriers

In Washington State, like many states, there is a shortage of forensically trained mental health clinicians to work with criminal justice‐involved individuals. At the direction of the state legislature, a collaborative project was undertaken by the University of Washington, the state Department of Social and Health Services, and a state psychiatric hospital to develop a proposal for a jointly sponsored forensic teaching service. The authors reviewed the literature, surveyed and interviewed forensic psychiatry and psychology training directors, and conducted site visits of selected training programs that offer multidisciplinary training or have affiliations with state hospitals. The authors conducted focus groups of additional stakeholders, including clinicians and patients in forensic settings, to better understand the needs in Washington. The authors report on several common benefits and barriers to establishing forensic teaching services. Other states and forensic programs may find this article useful in identifying common considerations for forensic mental health teaching services.     

Comparison Among Manual Facial Approximations Conducted by Two Methodological Approaches of Face Prediction

This study verified the difference between two methods of forensic facial approximation (FFA) regarding recognition and resemblance rates. Three‐dimensional models of skulls were obtained from computerized tomography (CT) scans of two subjects (targets). Two manual FFAs were performed for each target, by applying two different guidelines for the facial structures (what we called “American method” (AM) and “Combined method” (CM)). Unfamiliar assessors evaluated the sculptures by recognition and resemblance tests. The AM was that which allowed more correct responses of recognition and higher resemblance's scores for the male target (p < 0.001). Regarding guidelines for modeling characteristics of the face, the ones that are practical and easily performed for sculptures, such as the length of the anterior nasal spine multiplied by 3 for nose prediction, may offer better results in terms of resemblance.     

刑事强制鉴定制度初探

近年来,随着刑事要案为公众所广泛关注,在某些案件中,司法鉴定成为直接影响被告人刑事责任的重要手段,也被推至舆论的风口浪尖之上。然而学界却少有对强制鉴定构建模式的专门论证。我国应当在法律中规定当事人的鉴定请求权,构建与裁量鉴定并行的强制鉴定制度,确定其适用条件、具体程序及监督体制。     

Pacemaker/defibrillator evaluation at Los Angeles County Department of Coroner*

Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted medical devices for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. These devices are now commonly encountered in the postmortem situation. The Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner uses the services of a cardiac electrophysiology consultant to interrogate pacemakers and ICDs, producing a detailed picture of the cardiac events recorded by the device. We have used this method to evaluate 20 cases where the ICD or pacemaker provided significant information. We report four forensic cases to illustrate the different applications of pacemaker interrogation and its contribution in forensic investigation. This technique was used to establish identification of the decedent, to determine the cause and time of death, and to determine whether device malfunction could have played a role in the death. We conclude that detailed evaluation of the pacemaker or ICD in selected cases may provide essential information to the forensic pathologist.     

道路交通事故法医检验技术的研究进展

近年来,经济快速发展和机动车数量急剧增多,道路交通事故频发和伤亡人数不断上升已经成为备受关注的全球性问题。法医检验作为交通事故处理中重要的证据,其鉴定意见直接影响着当事方的权益和事故处理。不容置疑,法医检验技术的运用对鉴定意见有十分重要的影响作用。本文对国内外法医检验技术的最新研究进展和应用进行综述,供同行实践工作中参考。