Study about the effect of high temperatures on STRs typing

Forensic investigations generally involve samples that have unknown storage conditions.These conditions may help to speed up or slow down the degradation of DNA. For example environmental factors that speed up the decay include: UV light, humidity, and temperature. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of high temperature on the ability to perform DNA extraction and typing from different biological fluids (blood, saliva, and semen) after 20 min incubation in an oven at different temperatures 50 °C, 100 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C or direct exposition to the effect of a flame for few minutes. Our results support the ability to type DNA even from samples exposed to drastic condition.     

A comparative evaluation of the disulfur dinitride process for the visualisation of fingermarks on metal surfaces

The disulfur dinitride process for fingermark visualisation was first reported a decade ago, with promising results obtained for a range of materials including metals. However, the friction sensitive nature of the material and difficulty of synthesis made routine use difficult. Many of these issues have since been addressed, making equipment and chemicals available to build an understanding of how the effectiveness of disulfur dinitride compares to other fingermark visualisation processes currently used on metal surfaces. This enables more informed advice to be given on selection of processes for treatment of metal items, an area of operational interest that encompasses weapons used in violent crime and the increasing incidence in metal theft. This paper reports a comparative study into the effectiveness of disulfur dinitride, cyanoacrylate fuming, vacuum metal deposition, gun blueing and wet powder suspensions on brass, bronze, copper and stainless steel. Experiments were conducted with the surfaces exposed to a range of environments including long term ageing, water/detergent washing, acetone washing and high temperature exposure. The results indicate that disulfur dinitride is an effective process for fingermark visualisation on metal surfaces, including those exposed to adverse environments, and may offer potential improvements over existing processes for those surfaces. Further work, including pseudo-operational trials, is recommended.     

大鼠脑细胞DNA含量与死亡时间关系的图像分析

应用计算机图像分析技术 ,测定 15只大鼠死后 48h内不同时间点大鼠脑细胞核DNA含量的面积(Area)、等效直径 (Mean Dia ,MD)、异形指数 (Indexofdensity ,ID)、平均光度 (Averageopticaldensity ,AOD)、积分光度 (Integralopticaldensity ,IOD)、密度变化数 (L Den Coe ,LDC)和平均灰度 (Averagegray ,AG)等七项参数的变化值。结果证明 ,在大鼠死亡后 2 8h内 ,其脑细胞核DNA降解速率与PMI具有一定相关性。将每个参数的测量值进行多项式运算 ,获得了更能体现DNA降解趋势的二项式回归方程。其结果表明 ,应用计算机图像分析技术 ,测量机体死后DNA含量变化 ,将会成为推断PMI精确、客观的新方法。     

不同温度下离体人脾细胞DNA降解的差异性研究

目的研究不同温度下离体人脾细胞DNA降解的差异性。方法应用Feu lgen染色及计算机图像分析技术,测量并分析在不同温度下死后早期(36h内)各个时间点离体人脾细胞DNA含量的差异性情况。结查人死后7~36h内代表DNA含量的参数中,异形指数(ID)、密度变化数(LDC)、积分光密度(IOD)、平均光密度(AOD)及平均灰度(AG)在不同温度下其测量值具有统计学差异性(P<0.05),其中密度变化数(LDC)、平均光密度(AOD)和平均灰度(AG)具有显著统计学差异性(P<0.01)。结论温度对死后DNA降解有明显影响,进行温度对死亡时间(PM I)推断的影响的研究有重要的法医学意义。     

DNA含量变化与死亡时间推断的研究进展

在法医学实践中,死亡经历时间的推断具有重要的实践价值,但其准确推断却一直是法医学实践的难题,因而也一直是法医学研究的热点。法医DNA技术是近年来发展起来的在分子水平进行死亡时间推断的新技术、新方法,同传统方法相比,具有很大的优势,本文对该技术提出的背景、发展、优缺点以及发展前景进行综述,着重对DNA含量变化与其相关性的研究进展进行讨论。     

肋软骨及牙髓细胞DNA含量与PMI的相关性

目的探讨人死后肋软骨及牙髓细胞平均DNA含量与死亡时间(PMI)的相关性,寻求推断PMI的新方法。方法应用细胞图像分析技术分析高温(30～35℃)及低温(15～20℃)环境下人死后0～15d两种组织细胞平均DNA含量的降解情况。结果两种组织细胞平均DNA含量随死后时间的延长而逐步降解,其中低温组牙髓细胞平均DNA含量的降解在死后0～4d内有一个降解平台期。统计分析两组温度下两种组织细胞平均DNA含量与PMI有显著的负相关性(P<0.01)。结论依据两种组织细胞平均DNA含量的降解可进行PMI推断。     

The Use of Hemastix® and the Subsequent Lack of DNA Recovery Using the Promega DNA IQTM System

Abstract:  Following implementation of our automated process incorporating the Promega DNA IQ^TM system as a DNA extraction method, a large number of blood-containing exhibits failed to produce DNA. These exhibits had been tested with the Hemastix^® reagent strip, commonly used by police investigators and forensic laboratories as a screening test for blood. Some exhibits were even tainted green following transfer of the presumptive test reagents onto the samples. A series of experiments were carried out to examine the effect of the Hemastix^® chemistries on the DNA IQ^TM system. Our results indicate that one or more chemicals imbedded in the Hemastix^® reagent strip severely reduce the ability to recover DNA from any suspected stain using the DNA IQ^TM magnetic bead technology. The 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) used as the reporting dye appears to interact with the magnetic beads to prevent DNA recovery. Hydrogen peroxide does not seem to be involved. The Hemastix^® chemistries do not interfere in any way with DNA extraction performed using phenol-chloroform. The incompatibility of the Hemastix^® chemistries on the DNA IQ^TM system forced us to adopt an indirect approach using filter paper to carry out the presumptive test.     

Assessing the performance of quantity and quality metrics using the QIAGEN Investigator® Quantiplex® pro RGQ kit

The Quantiplex® Pro RGQ kit quantifies DNA in a sample, supports the detection of mixtures and assesses the extent of DNA degradation based on relative ratios of amplified autosomal and male markers. Data show no significant difference in the accuracy and sensitivity of quantification between this and the Promega PowerQuant® System, both detecting the lowest amount of DNA tested, 4 pg. Laboratory controlled mixed male:female DNA samples together with mock sexual assault samples were quantified across a range of mixture ratios. Analysis software detected mixed DNA samples across all ratios for both quantification kits. Subsequent STR analysis using the Investigator® 24Plex QS Kit was able to corroborate mixture detection down to 1:25 male:female DNA ratios, past which point mixtures appeared identical to single-source female samples. Analysis software also detected laboratory degraded DNA samples, with data showing a positive trend between the Degradation Index (DI) and length of time of sonication. When used on ancient remains the assay was able to triage samples for further analysis, and STR profiles were concordant with DNA quantification results in all instances. STR analyses of laboratory-controlled sensitivity, mixture, and degradation studies supports the quality metric obtained from quantification. These data support the use of the Quantiplex® Pro RGQ kit for sample screening and quantification in forensic casework and ancient DNA studies.     

Assessing a novel room temperature DNA storage medium for forensic biological samples

The ability to properly collect, analyze and preserve biological stains is important to preserving the integrity of forensic evidence. Stabilization of intact biological evidence in cells and the DNA extracts from them is particularly important since testing is generally not performed immediately following collection. Furthermore, retesting of stored DNA samples may be needed in casework for replicate testing, confirmation of results, and to accommodate future testing with new technologies.A novel room temperature DNA storage medium, SampleMatrix™ (SM; Biomatrica, Inc., San Diego, CA), was evaluated for stabilizing and protecting samples. Human genomic DNA samples at varying amounts (0.0625-200 ng) were stored dry in SM for 1 day to 1 year under varying conditions that included a typical ambient laboratory environment and also through successive freeze-thaw cycles (3 cycles). In addition, spiking of 1-4× SM into samples prior to analysis was performed to determine any inhibitory effects of SM. Quantification of recovered DNA following storage was determined by quantitative PCR or by agarose gel electrophoresis, and evaluation of quantitative peak height results from multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) analyses were performed to assess the efficacy of SM for preserving DNA.Results indicate no substantial differences between the quality of samples stored frozen in liquid and those samples maintained dry at ambient temperatures protected in SM. For long-term storage and the storage of low concentration samples, SM provided a significant advantage over freezer storage through higher DNA recovery. No detectable inhibition of amplification was observed at the recommended SM concentration and complete profiles were obtained from genomic DNA samples even in the presence of higher than recommended concentrations of the SM storage medium. The ability to stabilize and protect DNA from degradation at ambient temperatures for extended time periods could have tremendous impact in simplifying and improving sample storage conditions and requirements. The current work focuses on forensics analysis; however this technology is applicable to all endeavors requiring storage of DNA.     

人脾脏细胞核DNA含量与死亡时间关系的图像分析

目的研究人脾脏细胞DNA含量改变与死亡时间的关系。方法选取36例已知死亡时间的人体脾脏,在死后5～36h内逐时进行细胞学涂片、Feulgen Vans染色观察,并用图像分析系统,测定脾脏细胞核积分光密度、平均灰度等灰度参数,所得数据用SPSS软件分析。结果在5～36h内平均光密度、积分光密度、平均灰度均值均与死亡时间显著性相关,并得出对应的回归方程,其中平均光密度、积分光密度随死亡时间的延长而逐渐减小、平均灰度逐渐增大。结论人脾脏细胞核DNA含量改变呈现一定规律,与死亡时间明显相关。     

应用DNA3’末端转移推测死亡时间

目的根据机体死后组织细胞DNA降解规律,研究其与死亡时间之间的关系.方法SD大鼠处死后,在不同死亡时间段取肝、肾、脾组织提取DNA.根据DNA3′末端转移的方法(TdT法)将dUTP结合到DNA的3′末端,检测反应剩余的dUTP量,从而推测机体死后不同时间段DNA的降解情况.结果经对剩余dUTP检测发现,dUTP的剩余量随死亡时间延长而减少,说明DNA降解与死亡时间存在一定的关系.结论根据机体死后DNA降解规律可用于早期死亡时间的推测.     

离体人胸骨骨髓DNA降解与腐败尸体死亡时间推断的初步研究

目的研究死后胸骨骨髓DNA的降解与较长死后间隔时间(PMI)的关系。方法采用改良Feulgen染色及计算机图像分析技术对离体人胸骨(取材后分别室温搁置0,1,3,5,7d)骨髓DNA含量进行定量检测。结果在较长PMI范围内,人胸骨骨髓DNA含量仍呈现下降规律。结论人胸骨骨髓DNA降解规律可望应用于较长PMI的推断。     

人脾细胞核几何参数变化与早期死亡时间的相关性研究

目的运用图像分析技术探讨人脾脏细胞核几何参数变化与死亡时间的关系。方法选31例已知死亡时间的人离体脾组织,在死后36h内每h细胞学涂片、Feulgen-Vans染色,对人脾细胞核的异形指数等5个几何参数进行图像分析。结果脾脏细胞核异形指数在死后5～36h呈上升趋势,r=0.983,线性回归方程y=11.334x-33.339,面积、等效直径、平均直径、周长均与死亡时间无明显的相关性。结论异形指数能较客观地反映人脾细胞核DNA降解后的离散分布状况,与死亡时间有明显相关性,可能是推断早期准确死亡时间的较好形态学指标。