Exclusion of a man charged with murder by DNA fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting was used to demonstrate that two murder-rapes committed in 1983 and 1986, respectively, were connected. The probability of chance association of the fingerprint was calculated as 5.8 x 10(-8). The man who had been charged with the murder was excluded because his DNA fingerprint did not match sperm DNA fingerprints obtained from swabs and clothing attributed to the two victims.     

An unusual suicide with a safety razor blade--a case report

A 29-year-old male was found dead lying in a pool of blood inside a community toilet locked from inside. The individual is alleged to have committed suicide by cutting his throat with a safety razor blade, which was found at the scene by the investigating police authority. The deceased, as per his relatives, was suffering from depression for the last few days.     

Natural DNA mixtures generated in fraternal twins in utero

Analysis of multiple genetic loci using short tandem repeats (STR) is widely used in human identity testing because the extensive polymorphism at these loci allows for a high degree of discrimination among individuals. We recently received a forensic case that included several pieces of evidence and reference blood samples. Upon initial testing, one of the suspects had a DNA profile that included three alleles at four of the nine loci tested (vWA, FGA, TH01, and D5S818). At each locus, two of the alleles appeared to be "major" alleles with a third "minor" allele present. The profile appeared to be a mixture of two people. Contamination of this first reference sample was suspected and a second, unopened blood specimen was requested from this individual. The DNA profile from this second reference specimen was identical to that of the original specimen at each locus. One of the evidence samples also displayed an identical mixed DNA profile matching that of the reference specimens mentioned above. The relative peak heights of the two "major" and one "minor" allele remained constant in all three samples. Additional background information revealed that the suspect had not received a bone marrow transplant or blood transfusion. However, it was disclosed that this individual is a fraternal (dizygotic) twin. We hypothesize that an exchange of blood cells between the fetuses occurred in utero and that the additional alleles present in these reference samples are derived from cells contributed by his twin sibling. No additional specimens from the suspect or his twin could be obtained for confirmation, and our hypothesis remains untested. Forensic scientists should be aware of this possibility when faced with a DNA profile in which extra alleles at multiple loci are detected.     

Searching for Kin Amidst Tragedy—Disaster Victim Identification Operations for US Bangla Flight 211

The nature of air disasters includes factors that exacerbate challenges in the identification process. Of the 49 deceased in the US Bangla air crash in Kathmandu, Nepal, four were intact, 11 presented with burn injuries, another 11 presented with partial charring, and 23 were completely charred. Personal belongings were useful in the identification phases for all types of victims. Fingerprints were obtainable and useful in intact victims and victims with less severe burn injuries; medical and surgical information was useful in bodies with burn injuries; finally, dental findings were useful in cases of extensive charring. Other useful methods in the process included marks of identification, physical features, and exclusion. In certain resource‐limited settings, especially in closed population disasters, where scientific identification (DNA, dental records, etc.) is not currently available, personal belongings, clothing, and physical findings analyzed by an identification team using a structured organization may be cautiously used as the primary means of identification.     

Recovery of Trace DNA on Clothing: A Comparison of Mini‐tape Lifting and Three Other Forensic Evidence Collection Techniques

Trace DNA is often found in forensic science investigations. Experience has shown that it is difficult to retrieve a DNA profile when trace DNA is collected from clothing. The aim of this study was to compare four different DNA collection techniques on six different types of clothing in order to determine the best trace DNA recovery method. The classical stain recovery technique using a wet cotton swab was tested against dry swabbing, scraping and a new method, referred to as the mini‐tape lifting technique. Physical contact was simulated with three different “perpetrators” on 18 machine‐washed garments. DNA was collected with the four different DNA recovery methods and subjected to standard PCR‐based DNA profiling. The comparison of STR results showed best results for the mini‐tape lifting and scraping methods independent of the type of clothing. The new mini‐tape lifting technique proved to be an easy and reliable DNA collection method for textiles.     

关于设立“特留份”制度的立法构想

“特留份”制度的产生源于对遗嘱自由的限制,当今世界各国不仅都在立法上对于遗嘱自由进行了一定程度的限制,而且从法律上规定被继承人应当为配偶和其他近血亲保留必要的遗产份额,已经成为世界上绝大多数国家的立法趋势。在新的社会条件下,我国立法应该怎样构建合理的遗嘱继承制度,从而保护配偶和其近血亲继承人的利益,是立法上急需解决的问题。本文对于有关这一问题的立法提出了自己的构想。     

Single source DNA profile recovery from single cells isolated from skin and fabric from touch DNA mixtures in mock physical assaults

The ability to obtain DNA profiles from trace biological evidence is routinely demonstrated with so-called ‘touch DNA evidence’, which is generally perceived to be the result of DNA obtained from shed skin cells transferred from a donor's hands to an object or person during direct physical contact. Current methods for the recovery of trace DNA employ swabs or adhesive tape to sample an area of interest. While of practical utility, such ‘blind-swabbing’ approaches will necessarily co-sample cellular material from the different individuals whose cells are present on the item, even though the individuals' cells are principally located in topographically dispersed, but distinct, locations on the item. Thus the act of swabbing itself artifactually creates some of the DNA mixtures encountered in touch DNA samples. In some instances involving transient contact between an assailant and victim, the victim's DNA may be found in such significant excess as to preclude the detection and typing of the perpetrator's DNA. In order to circumvent the challenges with standard recovery and analysis methods for touch DNA evidence, we reported previously the development of a ‘smart analysis’ single cell recovery and DNA analysis method that results in enhanced genetic analysis of touch DNA evidence. Here we use the smart single cell analysis method to recover probative single source profiles from individual and agglomerated cells from various touched objects and clothing items belonging to known donors. We then use the same approach for the detection of single source male donor DNA in simulated physical contact/assault mixture samples (i.e. male ‘assailant’ grabbing the wrist, neck or clothing from the female ‘victim’, or being in transient contact with bedding from the ‘victim’). DNA profiles attributable to the male or female known donors were obtained from 31% and 35% of the single and agglomerated bio-particles (putative cells) tested. The known male donor ‘assailant’ DNA profile was identified in the cell sampling from every mixture type tested. The results of this work demonstrate the efficacy of an alternative strategy to recover single source perpetrator DNA profiles in physical contact/assault cases involving trace perpetrator/victim cellular admixtures.     

Evaluation of direct PCR for routine DNA profiling of non-decomposed deceased individuals

Forensic DNA profiling is a standard method used in the attempt to identify deceased individuals. In routine investigations, and if available, the preferred sample type is usually blood. However, this requires the invasive re-opening of the body, days or weeks after the autopsy, which is undesirable in resource-constrained mortuary settings. Motivated by the ease of sampling as well as reduced health and safety risks, this study aimed to establish the success rate of generating a full DNA profile on first attempt from buccal swab lysates using a direct PCR approach. Buccal swab samples were collected from 100 unidentified deceased males, and were subjected to direct DNA profiling with use of the Promega PowerPlex® Y23 Kit. At the time of sample collection, these individuals had been stored for between 1 and 887 days. This study shows that full DNA profiles were initially obtained from 73% of samples, which constitutes the first empirical data pertaining to first time success rates of direct PCR from post-mortem buccal lysates. Further investigation of partial and failed DNA profiles using real-time PCR showed that samples did not contain PCR inhibitors, DNA was not degraded, but DNA concentration was particularly low. Repeating DNA profiling with increased lysate input and extra PCR cycles yielded an additional six full DNA profiles, resulting in an overall success rate of 79%. Overall, DNA profile success rate was not associated with the duration of storage (p = 0.387). Lastly, massively parallel sequencing with the ForenSeq™ Signature DNA Prep kit provided more informative profiles for three additional samples. These results indicate that blood should therefore remain the sample of choice in a post-mortem setting, yet buccal lysates hold potential to be optimised further, which may ease the human identification workflow.     

Hypericum pollen determines the presence of burglars at the scene of a crime: an example of forensic palynology

Two male intruders entered a house in which the sole female occupant slept having left the back door unlocked for the return of her live-in boyfriend. She awoke and saw strangers in her bedroom. The intruders ran off, one leaving a jacket behind on the kitchen floor. One of the intruders subsequently returned to recover his jacket, but in his rush to leave the house he brushed against a flowering Hypericum bush growing just outside the back door. A suspect was arrested later that day and charged with indecent assault on a female and burglary, but denied any involvement and refused to name any associate. A day following the offence the suspect's clothes were taken for forensic examination. Pollen analysis of selected parts of his clothing showed that his track pants contained 14% Hypericum pollen, denim jacket 24%, and polo shirt 27.5%. Traces of Hypericum pollen occurred on other items. Most of these pollen grains still had their cell contents preserved and were on the clothing in clumps consistent with having recently been collected by the clothing and not having been aerially dispersed. The pollen from the Hypericum bush was identical in colour, shape, development, and size range to the pollen from the clothing. The clothes had so much Hypericum pollen on them that they had to have been in direct and intimate contact with a flowering bush. Pollen evidence is by its nature circumstantial and often cannot be used on its own to convict, or more strictly to determine the truth. The suspect may have been in contact with Hypericum elsewhere, but detailed investigations indicated that this was unlikely. In 30 years of New Zealand forensic work Hypericum had only ever been found on clothing in trace amounts. This is but one way in which forensic palynology can assist law enforcement agencies to determine the history behind a criminal action, and demonstrates that forensic palynology should be considered as an integral part of any criminal investigation.     

Automated extraction of DNA from reference samples from various types of biological materials on the Qiagen BioRobot EZ1 Workstation

We have validated and implemented a protocol for DNA extraction from various types of biological materials using a Qiagen BioRobot EZ1 Workstation. The sample materials included whole blood, blood from deceased, buccal cells on Omni swabs and FTA Cards, blood on FTA Cards and cotton swabs, and muscle biopsies. The DNA extraction was validated according to EN/ISO 17025 for the STR kits AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^® and AmpF?STR^® Yfiler^® (Applied Biosystems). Of 298 samples extracted, 11 (4%) did not yield acceptable results. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that extraction of DNA from various types of biological material can be performed quickly and without the use of hazardous chemicals, and that the DNA may be successfully STR typed according to the requirements of forensic genetic investigations accredited according to EN/ISO 17025.     

Proof of illegitimacy and identifying the true father after 70 years

A man born during the First World War doubted his legitimacy and believed his true father to be his mother's (since deceased) cohabitant. His and his sister's findings in less than or equal to 24 blood group systems produced a probability of sibship of W = 33%. The probability of half-sibship between the proband and two of the cohabitant's legitimate children was W = 82%, between him and two other children W = 70%, and between him and yet another two children W = 73%. These values raised doubts about the legitimacy of the cohabitant's six children. By means of serostatistics, using the blood group findings of 8 individuals it was established that it is "highly probable" that two of the six children are not the legitimate children of the cohabitant, but that their father is an unknown man. It was "practically proven", W = 99.97%, that the four legitimate children of the cohabitant are half-siblings of the proband, i.e. they all have the same father. The probability that the initial situation is correct--the proband and the cohabitant's six children are all legitimate-is "practically refuted": W = 0.03%. The probability that the position established on the basis of the blood group findings--the proband is the child of the cohabitant; two of the cohabitant's children are in fact illegitimate--is "practically proven": W = 99.97%.     

Commotio cordis as a result of a fight: report of a case considered to be imprudent homicide

The report describes a fatal outcome in a 5-year-old male who died after drinking a fatal dose of ethanol at the party held by his parents. Urine and blood alcohol level of the deceased was 0.4 and 0.5 g/dL, what might explain the sudden death of the child. In addition, the analysis of the boy's hair demonstrated the presence of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a marker of alcohol consumption; hair EtG concentration levels indicated that the boy might have occasionally imbibed alcohol prior to death. Pathological lesions of the liver observed in histopathology did not contradict such a hypothesis.     

Atypical "body packing syndrome"--a case report

A case of ingested cocaine is reported in which death must be classified as body packer syndrome although both the temporal relationship and the number of packets were atypical. The deceased, a consumer of hard drugs who smuggled for his own use, was found in his flat. He was resuscitated and survived for another four days in hospital. Only four intact drug packages were found in the upper gastro-intestinal tract. The concentrations of cocaine in blood and organs were relatively low but in a potentially lethal range. The case is presented, and its particularities as well as the option of induced vomiting as a way of preventing the fatal outcome are discussed.     

LIFE AFTER DEATH: THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE LEGAL STATUS OF POSTHUMOUSLY CONCEIVED CHILDREN

The advance of reproductive technology, coupled with a legal system that cannot keep up, has had a detrimental effect on posthumously conceived children. There is controversy over whether a child conceived after the death of one parent, by way of reproductive technology, is considered a child of that parent for inheritance purposes. An overwhelming majority of state legislatures have not given consideration to the unique question that posthumously conceived children pose. Legislative inaction has forced state courts to apply antiquated laws in the midst of a technological revolution. The result: children are being denied inheritance rights to their deceased parent's estate solely because of the way they were conceived. This Note advocates that all children should be given the same rights and benefits regardless of how they are conceived. To accomplish that goal, this Note proposes a model state statute to be adopted in all states. The model statute deems a posthumously conceived child to be the child of his or her deceased parent, and thus entitled to inheritance rights, if 1) the posthumously conceived child was provided for by will, or 2) the deceased parent intended to be a parent; there is a genetic relationship between parent and child; the child is born within three years from the death of his or her deceased parent; and the child's best interest, balanced against the state's interests, exceeds the state's interest. The desired effect of the statute is to put posthumously conceived children on equal footing with naturally conceived children.     

论清代的继子孙责任——以顺天府宝坻县刑房档为线索

从宝坻县衙档案中的继书和案件看,清代继子孙对家庭的责任包括两大类:一类是对已故尊直系亲属的,一类是对在世家属的。前者包括主持已故亲属的丧葬和祭祀仪式,后者包括对尊亲属的赡养。通过个案分析发现,家业传承与"父债子还"是相联系的,承继是指整个家庭的所有内容向下辈移交;因此,继父母考察继子孙能否承继,不是就事论事,而是综合地考察继子孙的行为。只要继子孙有影响家业承继的不良行为,就可能导致废继,由此,我们认为,清代子孙的这些责任是综合的、整体的。     

Sensitive and specific quantification of human genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in forensic science specimens: casework examples.

We describe the forensic science application of a method for quantification of human genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The two cases cited in this report involve DNA samples extracted from skin tissue and bloodstained clothing recovered from different crime scenes. High-molecular-weight DNA was recovered from both specimens, and the concentrations of these DNAs were estimated to be approximately 0.5 microgram/microL by ethidium bromide/agarose gel electrophoresis. Using the human-specific DNA probe p17H8 (locus D17Z1) to quantify the amount of human genomic DNA in these samples, it is shown that less than 1% of the DNA isolated from the skin tissue is of human origin and that the DNA isolated from the bloodstained clothing is effectively devoid of human DNA sequences. These case examples illustrate the need to quantify not only the total amount of DNA recovered from forensic casework material, but also the proportion of the DNA that is of human origin.     

Automated extraction of DNA and PCR setup using a Tecan Freedom EVO liquid handler

We have implemented and validated automated methods for DNA extraction and PCR setup developed for a Tecan Freedom EVO^® liquid handler mounted with a Te-MagS™ magnetic separation device. The DNA was extracted using the Qiagen MagAttract^® DNA Mini M48 kit. The DNA was amplified using AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^®, Y-filer^® (Applied Biosystems), GenePrint^® FFFL and PowerPlex^® Y (Promega). The methods were validated for fresh whole blood and blood from deceased according to EN/ISO 17025.     

Suicidal decapitation by guillotine: case report

A recently widowed man constructed a guillotine in the entrance to his cellar, having previously announced his intention to decapitate himself. A neighbor who saw the device from her house alerted the police. The deceased was found completely decapitated, still holding a pair of pliers that he had used to activate the mechanism. The findings of the resulting investigation are described, and the mechanism of suicidal decapitation is reviewed.