Resolving relationship tests that show ambiguous STR results using autosomal SNPs as supplementary markers

When using a standard battery of STRs for relationship testing a small proportion of analyses can give ambiguous results – where the claimed relationship cannot be confirmed by a high enough paternity index or excluded with fully incompatible genotypes. The majority of such cases arise from unknowingly testing a brother of the true father and observing only a small number of exclusions that can each be interpreted as one- or two-step mutations. Although adding extra STRs might resolve a proportion of cases, there are few properly validated extra STRs available, while the commonly added hypervariable SE33 locus is four times more mutable than average, increasing the risk of ambiguous results. We have found SNPs in large multiplexes are much more informative for both low initial probabilities or ambiguous exclusions and at the same time provide a more reliable genotyping approach for the highly degraded DNA encountered in many identification cases. Eight relationship cases are outlined where the addition of SNP data resolved analyses that had remained ambiguous even with extended STR typing. In addition we have made simulations to ascertain the frequency of failing to obtain exclusions or conclusive probabilities of paternity with different marker sets when a brother of the true father is tested. Results indicate that SNPs are statistically more efficient than STRs in resolving cases that distinguish first-degree relatives in deficient pedigrees.     

Killing the orphans

In the real world of human activity, the orphan is a tragicmetaphor: the child, bereft of parental love and support, isforced to make its own way in a harsh, unforgiving world. Theorphan stirs our deepest emotions, demands our sympathy and,in overcoming early handicaps, earns our respect and admiration.Not for nothing is the orphan a potent force in literature:famous orphans include the Dickensian Oliver Twist and DavidCopperfield, Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, not     

Forensic typing of autosomal SNPs with a 29 SNP-multiplex—Results of a collaborative EDNAP exercise

We report the results of an inter-laboratory exercise on typing of autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for forensic genetic investigations in crime cases. The European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP), a working group under the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), organised the exercise. A total of 11 European and one US forensic genetic laboratories tested a subset of a 52 SNP-multiplex PCR kit developed by the SNPforID consortium. The 52 SNP-multiplex kit amplifies 52 DNA fragments with 52 autosomal SNP loci in one multiplex PCR. The 52 SNPs are detected in two separate single base extension (SBE) multiplex reactions with 29 and 23 SNPs, respectively, using SNaPshot kit, capillary electrophoresis and multicolour fluorescence detection. For practical reasons, only the 29 SBE multiplex reaction was carried out by the participating laboratories. A total of 11 bloodstains on FTA cards including a sample of poor quality and a negative control were sent to the laboratories together with the essential reagents for the initial multiplex PCR and the multiplex SBE reaction. The total SNP locus dropout rate was 2.8% and more than 50% of the dropouts were observed with the poor quality sample. The overall rate of discrepant SNP allele assignments was 2.0%. Two laboratories reported 60% of all the discrepancies. Two laboratories reported all 29 SNP alleles in all 10 positive samples correctly. The results of the collaborative exercise were surprisingly good and demonstrate that SNP typing with SBE, capillary electrophoresis and multicolour detection methods can be developed for forensic genetics.     

Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Dementia in the Elderly: A Retrospective Study of 284 Cases

The study objective was to compare elders with a dementia with those without a dementia as to method of disclosure of sexual abuse, forensic markers of sexual abuse and legal outcome of cases. A convenience sample was obtained of 284 forensic cases known to a multidisciplinary group of professionals who investigated, examined or consulted on elder sexual abuse victims. The Comprehensive Sexual Assault Assessment (CSAAT) was used to enter data from case files. 60 percent of the 284 elders were diagnosed with some degree of dementia. Elders with dementia, compared to those without a diagnosis, were abused more often by persons known to them (family member, caregiver or another nursing home resident) than a stranger, presented behavior cues of distress rather than verbal disclosures, were easily confused and verbally manipulated, and were beaten. Suspects who were identified whom abused elders with dementia had less chance of being arrested, indicted or plea bargained. All reported suspected cases of elder sexual abuse need a complete physical examination as well as a sexual assault evidence kit. Patterns of verbal, behavioral or physical changes of elders can be used to support an allegation of sexual assault.     

Bringing eBay into line

As the largest and best-known internet auction service providerin the global village, eBay has become an immensely popularfacility for offering goods for sale before the widest audience.The advantages of eBay are that it provides a forum for thesale of niche goods where prospective purchasers are difficultto target; by cutting out the retailer (and his mark-up) itenables goods to be sold more cheaply; it is almost impossibleto police effectively; and also provides a veil of anonymity     

A bid for recognition

Last year this journal carried a note¹ on the world's firstauction of intellectual property rights, held in San Franciscobefore the full glare of publicity. Like the Wright Brothers'first manned flight more than a century before it, the firstmanned IP auction attracted a mixture of responses. From thecynical and from those whose interests are served by more traditionalmeans of matching IP vendor and purchaser came words of criticism     

Good stuff, shame about the bad press

A poll of readers of this journal would probably indicate ahigh level of support for the principle that IP should be protected;an awareness of its role in the development and exploitationof new products and services; a belief in its inherent fairnessin balancing the moral and economic needs of its owners andtheir competitors; and a conviction that IP was a positive forcefor the betterment of the world we presently