Forensic examination and application of areca nuts as material evidence

In this study, we aimed to explore the possibility of DNA analysis of areca nut as material evidence and the value of short tandem repeat (STR) typing of areca nut as material evidence under the condition of simulating external environment. In this study, water soaking, soil burial, sun exposure, and wet environment were used to treat areca nut residues. Chelex 100 was used to extract DNA, the PowerPlex21 kit to amplify, and the ABI PRISM^® 310 Genetic Analyzer to analyze the DNA of areca nut residues. DNA and STR typing were performed to analyze the residue after chewing. The results showed that the number of residual sites decreased with time under the conditions of water soaking, soil burial, sun exposure, and wet environment. Thus, areca nut can be used as forensic material evidence for DNA analysis and individual identification.     

Validation of STR typing by capillary electrophoresis

With the use of capillary electrophoresis (CE), high-resolution electrophoretic separation of short tandem repeat (STR) loci can be achieved in a semiautomated fashion. Laser-induced detection of fluorescently labeled PCR products and multicolor analysis enable the rapid generation of multilocus DNA profiles. In this study, conditions for typing PCR-amplified STR loci by capillary electrophoresis were investigated using the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems). An internal size standard was used with each run to effectively normalize mobility differences among injections. Alleles were designated by comparison to allelic ladders that were run with each sample set. Multiple runs of allelic ladders and of amplified samples demonstrate that allele sizes were reproducible, with standard deviations typically less than 0.12 bases for fragments up to 317 bases in length (largest allele analyzed) separated in a 47 cm capillary. Therefore, 99.7% of all alleles that are the same length should fall within the measurement error window of +/- 0.36 bases. Microvariants of the tetranucleotide repeats were also accurately typed by the analytical software. Alleles differing in size by one base could be resolved in two-donor DNA mixtures in which the minor component comprised > or = 5% of the total DNA. Furthermore, the quantitative data format (i.e., peak amplitude) can in some instances assist in determining individual STR profiles in mixed samples. DNA samples from previously typed cases (typed for RFLP, AmpliType PM+DQA1, and/or D1S80) were amplified using AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and COfiler and were evaluated using the ABI Prism 310. Most samples yielded typable results. Compared with previously determined results for other loci, there were no discrepancies as to the inclusion or exclusion of suspects or victims. CE thus provides efficient separation, resolution, sensitivity and precision, and the analytical software provides reliable genotyping of STR loci. The analytical conditions described are suitable for typing samples such as reference and evidentiary samples from forensic casework.     

微量口腔脱落细胞检材的DNA检验

目的寻求提高微量口腔脱落细胞检材的DNA检验成功率的简便有效的提取方法。方法对不同载体上的100份微量口腔脱落细胞检材采用小体积Chelex-100法提取DNA,在ABI7500型荧光定量PCR仪上进行定量,同时用IdentifilerTM复合扩增系统扩增,在ABI3130遗传分析仪上进行STR分型。结果从25根饮料吸管上提取的DNA量在0.72～116.7.8ng,16个水杯杯缘提取的DNA量在2.15-142.5ng,31个饮料瓶(罐)口提取的DNA量在1～34.65ng,10根筷子上提取的DNA量在3.35～26.6ng,12个果核中提取的DNA量在0.294～21.4ng,6份吃剩的骨头中提取的DNA量在0.88～5.88ng。100份检材性别及9个以上STR位点分型成功率平均为59.38%。除了使用者的个人原因外,检材的提取送检方式、检材的质地、饮料的性质对提取的DNA量有显著影响,是否加蛋白酶K对提取的DNA量无显著影响。结论采用小体积Chelex-100法可对60%左右的微量口腔脱落细胞检材提取DNA进行STR分型。     

23个STR基因座荧光复合扩增体系的法医学应用评估

目的评估新建立的23个STR复合扩增体系EX23的法医学应用价值。方法使用磁珠法提取样本DNA,应用23个STR复合扩增体系进行扩增,ABI3130XL遗传分析仪对扩增产物进行电泳,GeneMapperID 3.2软件进行基因分型,对法医学应用参数、灵敏度、种属、脱落细胞检材及降级检材分型效果进行观察,并与Sinofiler试剂盒比较。结果 DNA模板量在0.05~1.00ng时,各基因座分型结果清晰准确,均衡性好、特异性强。应用该复合扩增体系检验混合样本、降解检材及脱落细胞检材,均能获得正确的分型结果。统计结果显示该23个STR基因座累计个人识别（TDP）率达0.999999999,三联体累计非父排除率（CPE）达0.999999997。结论新建立的23个STR复合扩增体系分型效果良好,在广东地区汉族人群中具有高度多态性,可满足日常法医鉴定的需要。     

法医物证DNA自动化检验技术体系的研究

目的建立自动化工作站同步提取不同种类涉案法医生物检材DNA的新方法。方法选用TECAN Freedom EVO100．4、75—2型自动化提取、加样工作站,采用磁珠法及Chelex-100法对各类涉案生物检材进行DNA提取、PCR扩增、毛细管电泳检测其STR分型,进行比较测试。在“全国公安机关DNA数据库应用系统”中建立并应用实验室信息管理系统（LIMS）模拟实施规范化DNA检案。结果1552份各类检材,采用工作站-磁珠法提取DNA效果最佳,STR检测成功率为95％,工作站-Chelex法为88％;二者分别与其手工提取法比较,成功率无明显差异。92个样本同期检测,自动化工作站较手工操作DNA检案时间可缩减1．25倍。结论工作站域珠法提取涉案检材DNA,可获得满意的STR分型结果。应用LIMS管控,可有效防控污染,明显提高检案效率及鉴定质量。     

Forensic DNA analysis on microfluidic devices: a review

The advent of microfluidic technology for genetic analysis has begun to impact forensic science. Recent advances in microfluidic separation of short-tandem-repeat (STR) fragments has provided unprecedented potential for improving speed and efficiency of DNA typing. In addition, the analytical processes associated with sample preparation--which include cell sorting, DNA extraction, DNA quantitation, and DNA amplification--can all be integrated with the STR separation in a seamless manner. The current state of these microfluidic methods as well as their advantages and potential shortcomings are detailed. Recent advances in microfluidic device technology, as they pertain to forensic DNA typing, are discussed with a focus on the forensic community.     

不同分型方法的STR分型差异

目的调查不同的STR分型系统之间分型的一致性。方法 10 0例不同个体的DNA样本分别用单位点聚丙烯酰胺凝胶银染法和PowerPlex16System试剂盒对 13个法医学常用STR位点进行基因分型 ,并比较两种不同分型系统间的分型结果。结果 1例样本在D8S1179位点出现了分型不一致的结果 :银染法的基因型为 12 / 14 ,而用PowerPlex16System试剂盒的分型则为 12 / 15。结论不同的STR分型系统可导致不同的基因分型     

Usefulness of dura mater in providing DNA samples for identifying cadavers

We examined the usefulness of the dura mater in identifying human remains. Dura mater was collected from 50 cadavers, including drowned, charred, and mummified remains. The STR genotype using the AmpFlSTR Identifiler Kit could be typed at 15 STR and amelogenin loci in 30 samples of 33 cases. Furthermore, the ABO genotype and amelogenin using gel-based methods could be typed in 44 samples of 50 cases. In cases with successful typing of STR, ABO-DNA, and amelogenin, the longest time after death was from 12 to 26 days in a drowned body. The minimum quantity of dura mater required for DNA extraction was about 2.5 mg, dried and fixed by ethanol, in a cadaver 15 h after death. The state of the DNA from the dura mater from the calvaria may be better than that from the basis cranii interna. We found that DNA from dura mater is one of the most useful samples for forensic identification.     

PE‐Swab Direct STR Amplification of Forensic Touch DNA Samples

The PE‐Swab direct STR amplification workflow was developed to process low‐level “touch DNA” samples. In this workflow, a forensic sample is first collected on a 4‐mm PE‐Swab (a novel sample collection device); two 2‐mm punches containing collected samples are then generated from the PE‐Swab and directly amplified for STR typing. Compared to the conventional STR workflow, which involves DNA extraction, purification, and elution volume reduction, the PE‐Swab direct STR amplification workflow does not require sample preparation and takes <60 sec before a touch sample is ready for STR amplification. Because there is no DNA loss due to sample preparation, the PE‐Swab workflow is more sensitive than the conventional STR workflow. The average peak height per sample obtained by the PE‐swab workflow is 3 times higher than that from the conventional workflow with both low‐level single source and two‐contributor mixture samples tested in this study.     

Validation of the PowerPlex 1.1 loci for use in human identification

STR typing is now the favored method of DNA analysis for the purposes of human identification in the forensic community. The Forensic Services Division of the Detroit Police Department has completed its validation of the PowerPlex 1.1 loci (CSF1PO, TPOX, THO1, vWA, D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, and D5S818) for use in forensic casework. Detroit Metro Area Red Cross samples were typed from each of five racial/ethnic groups--the Hispanic, Caucasian, African American, Asian, and American Indian populations--and allele and genotype frequencies were calculated. A rare off-ladder variant (9.1 allele at D7S820) was identified among the database samples. A number of validation studies were performed. DNA was extracted from different substrates and typed as expected, except for the DNA extracted from leather (signal absent from the D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, CSF1PO, and TPOX loci) and from dirt (no PCR product generated). The minor contributor in the mixture study (250 pg input DNA) was facile to discern. The Concordance study, the variety of fluids from the same individual, and NIST standards studies all produced the expected results. Finally, STR data confirmed previous DNA typing results from adjudicated casework samples.     

19个常染色体与4个Y染色体STR复合扩增体系的建立

目的建立19个常染色体STR及Amelogenin和4个Y染色体STR基因座复合扩增体系,并对其效能进行评估。方法用五色荧光标记20＋4Y—STR基因座,建立同步扩增检测体系,用ABI3130XL遗传分析仪对扩增产物进行电泳,GeneMapperID3．2软件进行基因分型;检测体系的灵敏度、均衡性、稳定性、特异性、同一性和稳定性,并观察混合、降解及微量检材的分型情况。结果采用本文体系,DNA模板量在0．05～1．00ng时,分型准确,均衡性、特异性好;混合、降解及微量检材分型正确。该19个常染色体STR基因座的累计个人识别率大于0．999999999,三联体累计非父排除率达0．999999985,Y—STR单倍型多态性为0．592。结论本文建立的复合扩增体系分型准确,稳定,在法医学案件检验及数据库建设等方面有良好的应用前景。     

尿液及尿斑DNA分型的研究

目的研究尿液及尿斑的DNA提取及其检验。方法用Chelex100法及QIAampMiniKit提取尿液及尿斑样本中的DNA,进行PCR扩增及STR检验。结果新鲜的及存放时间在12h以内的尿液样本能得到较好的分型结果;存放2d左右的尿液样本有50%能检出基因型;存放7d及更长时间的尿液样本全部不能检出基因型;尿斑样本的分型成功率很低。结论较新鲜的尿液样本均能进行DNA分型,在法医检案中具有应用价值。     

国产磁珠结合自动化工作站批量提取生物检材DNA的应用

目的建立国产磁珠结合自动化工作站批量提取案件中生物检材DNA的方法。方法采用国产磁珠结合Bio-Robert Universal System自动化工作站对案件中常见的生物样本进行DNA提取,检测Identifiler系统16个STR基因座,在ABI3130XL遗传分析仪上进行STR分型。其中210份样品同时在ABI7500型荧光定量PCR仪上进行定量。结果9100份10类生物检材应用国产磁珠结合自动化工作站,大部分可提取到足够的DNA进行STR检验。STR检验成功率最高的为口腔拭子、肌肉,达100%,接触细胞检材的成功率较低,为50.0%。结论国产磁珠结合自动化工作站可用于案件中常见的大部分生物样本的DNA提取。     

A forensic laboratory tests the Berkeley microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis device

Miniaturization of capillary electrophoresis onto a microchip for forensic short tandem repeat analysis is the initial step in the process of producing a fully integrated and automated analysis system. A prototype of the Berkeley microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis device was installed at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science for testing. Instrument performance was verified by PowerPlex 16 System profiling of single source, sensitivity series, mixture, and casework samples. Mock sexual assault samples were successfully analyzed using the PowerPlex Y System. Resolution was assessed using the TH01, CSF1PO, TPOX, and Amelogenin loci and demonstrated to be comparable with commercial systems along with the instrument precision. Successful replacement of the Hjerten capillary coating method with a dynamic coating polymer was performed. The accurate and rapid typing of forensic samples demonstrates the successful technology transfer of this device into a practitioner laboratory and its potential for advancing high-throughput forensic typing.     

烟蒂DNA分型的研究

目的 研究烟蒂中DNA提取及其检验。方法 用Chelex-100法提取170枚烟蒂样本的DNA,进行PCR扩增及STR检验。结果 除1名志愿者提供的21枚烟蒂外层纸未能检出STR基因分型外,其余烟蒂外层纸均得到分型结果。加入少许烟丝的样本未能检出STR分型,与口唇接触的海绵有时可检出基因型,6个月内的烟蒂可检出小片段基因座。结论 烟蒂能进行DNA分型,在法医检案中具有应用价值。     

Performance evaluation of two multiplexes used in fluorescent short tandem repeat DNA analysis

The performance of two commercial multiplex kits that together amplify the 13 core short tandem repeat (STR) loci currently in use by forensic laboratories and the U.S. national Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS) were evaluated. The typing systems examined were AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and AmpFlSTR COfiler (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Electrophoretic separation and detection of the fluorescent PCR products was achieved by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. The studies addressed the on-site validation of the instrument, the software, and each typing system. These studies included instrument sensitivity, resolution, precision, binning, peak height ratios, mixtures, stutter, and the amplification of non-probative and simulated forensic samples. Other additional developmental-type work is also reported herein, such as species specificity testing and amplification of environmentally insulted samples. Amplification conditions were found to be robust and the primer sets shown to be specific to human DNA. Stutter and peak height ratios fell within limits published by the manufacturer and other laboratories. The data demonstrate that the CE instrument can consistently resolve fragments differing in length by one base and that the +/-0.5 base bin used by the Genotyper software is acceptable for making accurate allele calls. Correct typing results were obtained from non-probative and simulated case samples, as well as samples exposed to outdoor environmental conditions. The results support the conclusion that DNA extracted from biological samples routinely encountered in the forensic laboratory can be reliably analyzed with AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and COfiler using CE.     

Increasing Allele Detection by Altering the Quantity of Internal Lane Standard

Electrokinetic injection (EI) is the primary method used in forensic laboratories to load amplified PCR product in capillary electrophoresis for short tandem repeat (STR) fragment separation. Because all samples subjected to capillary electrophoresis use internal lane standard (ILS), this study investigated the consequence of varying the volume of ILS and its effects on allele peak heights and number of alleles detected. Results demonstrated that when the volume of ILS is reduced, the average peak height and number of alleles increased, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the detection method. Sizing anomalies were observed; however, they did not adversely affect accuracy and precision. The method developed in this study offers a simple and universal procedure to increase the alleles detected in forensic STR analysis. Reducing the volume of ILS to achieve greater sensitivity is applicable to all STR amplification kits and capillary electrophoresis instruments currently used in forensic DNA analysis.     

Higher Capillary Electrophoresis Injection Settings as an Efficient Approach to Increase the Sensitivity of STR Typing

Abstract:  Evidentiary traces may contain low quantities of DNA, and regularly incomplete short tandem repeat (STR) profiles are obtained. In this study, higher capillary electrophoresis injection settings were used to efficiently improve incomplete STR profiles generated from low-level DNA samples under standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions. The method involves capillary electrophoresis with higher injection voltage and extended injection time. STR peak heights increased six-fold. Inherent to the analysis of low-level DNA samples, we observed stochastic amplification artifacts, mainly in the form of allele dropout and heterozygous peak imbalance. Increased stutter ratios and allele drop-in were rarely seen. Upon STR typing of 10:1 admixed samples, the profile of the major component did not become overloaded when using higher injection settings as was observed upon elevated cycling. Thereby an improved profile of the minor component was obtained. For low-level DNA casework samples, we adhere to independent replication of the PCR amplification and boosted capillary electrophoresis.     

Chelex-100法提取脱落细胞检材DNA的实时定量研究

目的研究脱落细胞检材DNA检验的简便有效的提取方法。方法对76份包括帽子、眼镜、牙刷、剃须刀、梳子、口香糖、羊水在内的7种脱落细胞检材采用Chelex-100法提取DNA,在ABI7500型荧光定量PCR仪上进行定量,同时用Identifiler复合扩增系统扩增,在ABI3130遗传分析仪上进行STR分型。结果从帽子（头套）中获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为8.31ng,眼镜擦拭物上获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为6.20ng,牙刷上获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为49.40ng,剃须刀擦拭物上获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为6.92ng、梳子擦拭物上获得的的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为10.68ng,口香糖的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为16.30ng,羊水的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为320ng。以上76份检材性别及10个以上STR位点分型成功率为75.8%。结论从帽子、眼镜、牙刷、剃须刀、梳子、口香糖、羊水等检材提取的脱落细胞可用Chelex-100法提取DNA作STR分型。     

Validation of short tandem repeats (STRs) for forensic usage: performance testing of fluorescent multiplex STR systems and analysis of authentic and simulated forensic samples

The amplification and typing conditions for the 13 core CODIS loci and their forensic applicability were evaluated. These loci are CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, vWA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, and D21S11. Results were obtained using the multiplex STR systems AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and AmpFlSTR COfiler (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), GenePrint PowerPlex (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI), and subsets of these kits. For detection of fluorescently labeled amplified products, the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer, the ABI Prism 377 DNA Sequencer, the FMBIO II Fluorescent Imaging Device, and the Fluorlmager were utilized. The following studies were conducted: (a) evaluation of PCR parameter ranges required for adequate performance in multiplex amplification of STR loci, (b) determination of the sensitivity of detection of the systems, (c) characterization of non-allelic PCR products, (d) evaluation of heterozygous peak intensities, (e) determination of the relative level of stutter per locus, (f) determination of stochastic PCR thresholds, (g) analysis of previously typed case samples, environmentally insulted samples, and body fluid samples deposited on various substrates, and (h) detection of components of mixed DNA samples. The data demonstrate that the commercially available multiplex kits can be used to amplify and type STR loci successfully from DNA derived from human biological specimens. There was no evidence of false positive or false negative results and no substantial evidence of preferential amplification within a locus. Although at times general balance among loci labeled with the same fluorophore was not observed, the results obtained were still valid and robust. Suggested criteria are provided for determining whether a sample is derived from a single source or from more than one contributor. These criteria entail the following: (a) the number of peaks at a locus, (b) the relative height of stutter products, and (c) peak height ratios. Stochastic threshold levels and the efficiency of non-templated nucleotide addition should be considered when evaluating the presence of mixtures or low quantity DNA samples. Guidelines, not standards, for interpretation should be developed to interpret STR profiles in cases, because there will be instances in which the standards may not apply. These instances include (a) a primer binding site variant for one allele at a given locus, (b) unusually high stutter product, (c) gene duplication, and (d) translocation.