A mixed DNA profile controversy revisited

Semaan et al. (J Forensic Res, 2020, 11, 453) discuss a mock case “where eight different individuals [P₁ through P₈] could not be excluded in a mixed DNA analysis. Even though … expert DNA mixture analysis software was used.” Two of these are the true donors. The LRs reported are incorrect due to the incorrect entry of propositions into LRmix Studio. This forced the software to account for most of the alleles as drop-in, resulting in LRs 60–70 orders of magnitude larger than expected. P₁, P₂, P₄, P₅, and P₈ can be manually excluded using peak heights. This has relevance when using LRmix which does not use peak heights. We extend the work using the same two reference genotypes who were the true contributors as Semaan et al. (J Forensic Res, 2020, 11, 453). We simulate three two-donor mixtures with peak heights using these two genotypes and analyze using STRmix?. For the simulated 1:1 mixture, one of the non-donors’ LRs supported him being a contributor when no conditioning was used. When considered in combination with any other potential donors (i.e., with conditioning), this non-donor was correctly eliminated. For the 3:1 mixture, all results correctly supported that the non-donors were not contributors. The low-template 4:1 mixture LRs with no conditioning showed support for all eight profiles as donors. However, the results from pair-wise conditioning showed that only the two ground truth donors had LRs supporting that they were contributors to the mixture. We recommend the use of peak heights and conditioning profiles, as this allows better sensitivity and specificity even when the persons share many alleles.     

Molecular Identification of Necrophagous Dermestes Species in South Korea Using Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I Nucleotide Sequences (Genus Dermestes)

Species identification of necrophagous insects found on a dead body is an essential key in applying medicolegal entomology to the estimation of postmortem interval (PMI). Due to limited morphological identification of insect evidence, several studies have identified species using molecular information such as DNA markers. While considerable cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence data of necrophagous fly species have been collected and annotated, those of necrophagous beetle species have not. Since necrophagous beetles such as Dermestes species have a larval period longer than that of flies, beetles are useful in even the late decomposition phase in estimating minimum PMI. To obtain the full-length COI gene sequences of six Dermestes species collected from South Korea, we designed primers for polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. The obtained full COI nucleotide sequences were used for performing phylogenic analysis and comparison with previously reported sequences. The results demonstrated that the COI gene sequences could be used to identify forensically important Dermestes species in South Korea.     

DNA Recovery From Tape-Lifting Kits: Methodology and Practice

In the case of suspicious deaths, the technique of 1:1 taping is often used in Belgium. It consists of affixing a large number of adhesive tapes to the body of the victim. It is conventionally aimed at obtaining microtraces (e.g., fibers, hair) and is usually not used for DNA analysis. However, in some cases, DNA analysis of certain areas of interest identified on the 1:1 taping material can offer a last resort solution. The four-step method that is described in this article involves the selection of areas of interest on the body (Step 1), the selection of the corresponding tapes (Step 2), the decontamination of the tapes (Step 3), the selection of areas of interest on the tapes, for DNA sampling (Step 4). The method is illustrated by its successful application in four murder cases. In each case, DNA profiles of good quality could be identified, including profiles of persons different from the victim.     

应用硅珠法提取陈旧骨骼DNA

骨骼相对于人体其他的组织脏器腐败降解慢,是进行高度腐败及白骨化样本DNA检验的唯一检材。但骨骼DNA的提取比较困难,本文运用传统的硅珠法提取骨骼DNA取得了很好的效果。1材料与方法1.1样本1~4年水浸泡、土埋的股骨、肱骨等样本,来自本实验室日常检案检材。1.2方法1.2.1骨骼DNA提取用水洗净骨骼表面,晾干。锯成小块,用锉打磨内外表面。去离子水、乙醇和5%bleach浸泡、晾干,磨成粉末。取骨粉5g;加入0.5mon/L EDTA(pH8.0)溶液,搅拌均匀置于摇床上脱钙12h,去离子水洗两遍,去上清,重复4次[1];沉渣中加入适量裂解液(6mon/L GuSCN,20mo…     

论公安刑事侦查行为与公安具体行政行为的界定

从“没收空调案”谈起,提出正确界定公安刑事侦查行为与公安具体行政行为的问题,其关系到行政诉讼法受案范围。从理论上来讲,两者既有联系,又有区别,但在实践中两者又容易混淆。因此在具体的操作过程中,有必要利用各种方法正确把握两者的界定问题。     

DNA commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics: Recommendations on the interpretation of mixtures

The DNA commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) was convened at the 21st congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics held between 13 and 17 September in the Azores, Portugal. The purpose of the group was to agree on guidelines to encourage best practice that can be universally applied to assist with mixture interpretation. In addition the commission was tasked to provide guidance on low copy number (LCN) reporting. Our discussions have highlighted a significant need for continuing education and research into this area. We have attempted to present a consensus from experts but to be practical we do not claim to have conveyed a clear vision in every respect in this difficult subject. For this reason, we propose to allow a period of time for feedback and reflection by the scientific community. Then the DNA commission will meet again to consider further recommendations.     

牛分枝杆菌esat-6和mpb70-mpb83基因DNA疫苗的免疫效果

用PCR技术和重叠延伸剪接技术获得牛分枝杆菌esat-6基因和mpb70-mpb83融合基因,连接真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+),构建了重组质粒pCE6和pC70-83-E6。分4组免疫小鼠:pCE6组、pC70-83-E6组、pcDNA3.1(+)和PBS对照组,采用间接ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体水平,MTT法检测免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖情况和IFN-γ分泌情况。结果表明,2重组质粒免疫组小鼠的血清抗体水平持续上升,而2对照组始终维持在较低水平,且pC70-83-E6组小鼠的抗体水平高于pCE6组。经PPD刺激后,pCE6组和pC70-83-E6组小鼠的SI值与2对照组均差异显著(P<0.05),2重组质粒免疫组间差异不显著(P>0.05);2重组质粒免疫小鼠脾细胞产生的IFN-γ均显著高于2对照组(P<0.05),且pC70-83-E6组明显高于其他3组(P<0.05)。证实本试验构建的2种牛分枝杆菌DNA疫苗可有效诱导实验动物产生体液免疫和细胞免疫应答。     

论刑事庭前审查程序的价值——兼论我国庭前审查程序的完善

刑事庭前审查程序的价值主要体现为三个方面:一是对公诉案件进行"过滤",从而抑制公诉,防止不必要的和无根据的审判发动;二是对公诉案件进行"分流",使不同刑事案件适用繁简不同的诉讼程序,防止简单案件适用复杂的诉讼程序,或者是复杂案件适用简单的诉讼程序;三是保障人权并节约诉讼资源.在此基础上,提出了"建立我国预审法官制度"等完善我国刑事庭前审查程序的构想.     

台湾地区民事证据保全制度改革及其借鉴意义

为了彻底改造所移植外国法,更新传统诉讼观念,解决诉讼拖延、效率低下和诉讼成本高昂问题,我国台湾地区于20世纪末、21世纪初就证据保全制度从立法理念到具体内容进行了重大变革。新证据保全制度所蕴含的保障程序主体权、扩大诉讼解决纠纷能力、疏减讼源及预防纠纷发生的理念,以及为贯彻该等理念在设置具体制度时,扩大证据保全范围、规定并引导当事人于证据保全程序中达成协议和严格证据保全的程序保障的做法,对大陆证据保全制度的改革具有借鉴作用。     

我国《物权法》立法技术若干缺陷的分析与完善

我国《物权法》的制定总体上是成功的,吸收了近年来我国物权法理论研究的成果以及国外一些先进成功的立法经验,但在立法技术上也存在着若干缺陷。本文从理论上对《物权法》的立法技术缺陷予以分析,并进行了比较充分的论证,提出了相应的完善建议和构想,以期对我国《物权法》和物权制度的修改和完善有所裨益。