Genetic profile of the Ecuadorian Mestizo population (Ecuador-South America) by using the Power Plex 16 System Kit

Allele frequency data for the 15 STR systems and Amelogenine were determined in a population sample of healthy Mestizo unrelated individuals. All loci met Hardy-Weinberg expectations and the high discrimination power of combined system showed the forensic efficiency of these genetic markers. There is a lack of information on Ecuadorian population from a genetic point of view and therefore no previous publications on the distribution of STRs on Mestizos is available. Mestizos are descendents of Spanish and Amerindian people, however, significant differences were found between the former and the populations from Spanish peninsula, that have been analyzed for these genetic markers.     

STRs data for the loci D3S1385, vWA,FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317 and D7S820 from Córdoba (Argentina)

Allele and genotype frequencies for nine STRs loci included in the AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus kit (D3S1385, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317 and D7S820), were determined from urban and countryside population of Córdoba (Argentina). All loci meet the Hardy-Weinberg expectation, and there is little evidence for alleles association between these nine loci. The results demonstrate that these loci can be useful for databasing purposes in human identification and parentage testing in the population of Córdoba (Argentina).     

A Windows-based software for common paternity and sibling analyses

A new Windows-based freeware for kinship analysis from DNA data is presented. This software can be used to calculate likelihood ratios and probabilities of paternity in trio and motherless cases, as well as in cases when a parent is lacking but there are data from the grandparents. It can also be used to compute the probability of two subjects being full-brothers or half-brothers.     

Alcohol use among fatally injured drivers in Spain

Blood from 285 fatally injured drivers in Northern Spain was collected and tested for the presence of alcohol and drugs. Alcohol was detected in 50.5% of all fatalities. Alcohol alone was detected in 44.2% of all samples and in the remaining 6.3% another substance was found together with alcohol. Blood alcohol concentration was classified in different levels. It has been observed that in 35.4% of the cases the blood alcohol level was > or = 0.8 g/l, the legal limit in Spain for car drivers. Alcohol together with other substances was encountered in 18 cases, with medication in 22.2% (4 out of 18), alcohol with illegal drugs in 66.6% of the cases (12 out of 18), and alcohol with medicines and illegal drugs in 11.1% (2 out of 18). Cocaine was the most commonly detected drug. The study shows how widespread the incidence of a high level of alcohol concentration among drivers involved in fatal accidents in Spain.     

A serological and histological study of the Egyptian mummy 'Iset Iri Hetes' from the Ptolemaic period III-I B.C

Serological and histological examinations of the muscles of the calf of an Egyptian mummy dated between the third and first centuries B.C. were performed. Human protein was identified, the ABO phenotype was determined as type B, and morphological disruption of the cells was observed.     

Juvenile Courts after 100 Years: Past and Present Orientations

Juvenile institutions were developed in the nineteenth century. In the United States, they prompted an extension of the parens patriae doctrine, which provided a basis for the creation of the juvenile court a century ago. The protective orientation of the court was intended both for juvenile delinquents and children in danger. Important changes have occurred since the 1960s. Procedural guarantees for delinquents and de-institutionalisation of children in danger have created a clear distinction between the two groups. Diversion has introduced an alternative to the court process. Policies aimed at young offenders have moved gradually in the direction of the adult criminal court model. The article presents an overview of this evolution, essentially for North America.     

An unusual case of railway suicide

A rare case of suicide in which the victim had been lying along the railway track in a supine position and with extended extremities is described. The wheels of a train caused longitudinal hemisection with complete evisceration. Epidemiological data on train suicides are given and the relationship between this method of suicide and mental illnesses and consumption of alcohol are discussed.     

Allele frequencies of six STR loci in Argentine populations

Allele frequencies of six short tandem repeat (STR) loci were determined in a Caucasian urban sample of La Plata city and three Amerindian sample populations of Argentina. Allele frequencies showed differences between urbans and Amerindians, and among Amerindians as well. The degree of genetic differentiation of subpopulations was mainly due to the Amerindian contribution. Mapuche, Mocovi, and pooled Amerindian populations showed little evidence of HW disequilibrium, and association of alleles. In the urban sample, there is no evidence of population substructuring. Forensic probabilities of exclusion and matching showed high differences between the population groups. Finally, La Plata sample did not show differences with Caucasians from other geographic regions.