Mitochondrial DNA amplification success rate as a function of hair morphology

This study examines the amplification success rate of mitochondrial DNA from human head hair with respect to their potential for forensic application. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated using a Chelex-based extraction method and amplified using the LINEAR ARRAY duplex PCR system. The particular focus of this study was to characterize the morphological features of human head hair in order to further the understanding of the factors that influence amplification success rate in hair tissue using the LINEAR ARRAY duplex PCR system. 2554 head hairs from 132 individuals representing four population groups were amplified. The hair samples were characterized as follows: 1251 were identified microscopically as telogen hairs and 1303 were classified as hairs without roots (removed before extraction). Amplification success was assessed as a function of several independent variables: morphological characteristics; telogen root versus no root; donor age; scalp origin; use of cosmetic hair treatments; and race of the donor. The results show that a positive correlation exists between amplification success and the presence of a telogen root. Combining the amplification success with either the original or optimized protocol, telogen hairs result in an overall success rate of 77.5% compared with 65% for hairs with no roots. Controlling for telogen hairs, the findings indicate that the overall success rate is independent of cosmetic hair treatments; medulla structure; shaft length, diameter, and volume; and scalp origin. Conversely, the age of the donor, the race of the donor, and hair pigmentation all contribute to a variation in amplification success rate.     

Population substructure can significantly affect reliability of a DNA-led process of identification of mass fatality victims

Aiming to evaluate the effects of population substructure on the reliability of a DNA correspondence in the process of human identification, we used the model of "in silico" constructed populations with and without substructure. Effects of population substructure were evaluated at the level of locus heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and mini-haplotype distribution. Inbreeding in a subpopulation of 100 individuals through 10 generations did not significantly alter the level of heterozygosity and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. However, analysis of mini-haplotype distribution revealed a significant homogenization in separated subpopulations. Average observed mini-haplotype frequency (f(o)) increased to threefold from expected values (f(e)), and the number of mini-haplotypes with f(o)/f(e) above 10 increased over sixfold, suggesting that the effects of population substructure on calculated likelihood ratios (LR) might be larger than previously estimated. In most criminal cases, this would not represent a problem, whereas for identifications in large-scale mass fatality events, population substructure might considerably increase the risk of false identification.     

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Heat on the PCR‐Amplification of Various Sized DNA Fragments Extracted from Sus Scrofa Molars*

Abstract: This study examined the effects of heat on the amplification of DNA from the dental pulp of Sus scrofa molars and investigated the protection afforded to the pulp tissue by the dental enamel, alveolar process, and soft tissue of the head. Segments of defleshed maxilla and mandible encasing the first molar (n = 60) were subject to a range of temperatures for 15 min. Dental pulps were retrieved. Amplifications using three‐primer and four‐primer multiplexes showed no degradation of the largest fragment following exposure to 450°C. Amplifications in the three‐primer multiplex (283 bp) were successful following exposure to 525°C in maxillary samples only. This study revealed the enamel density of maxillary molars to be greater than mandibular molars in Sus scrofa. Following incineration of intact heads for 15 min (n = 10) and 1 h (n = 4) at an average temperature of 625°C, amplifications of the largest fragment (450 bp) were successful from both maxillary and mandibular teeth.     

Free Fatty Acids Composition in Adipocere of the Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchí Ancient Remains Found in a Glacier*

Abstract: Adipocere is a postmortem decomposition product consisting of mostly a mixture of free fatty acids (FFAs) that are formed because of the hydrolysis of triglycerides in adipose tissues. This article describes a simple and robust method for the extraction, identification, and quantification of FFA commonly found in adipocere using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This method was applied to analyze tissues from Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchí, ancient remains discovered in a retreating glacier in the Tatshenshini‐Alsek Park, British Columbia, Canada in August 1999. The lyophilized tissues were grinded and extracted with hexane. The trimethylsilyl fatty acid derivatives were analyzed by GC/MS, and the relative abundances of myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid were determined. Milligram per gram levels of saturated fatty acids were found in the tissues of the ancient remains, while the levels of unsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid, were found to be negligible. The results provided further evidence of the existence of adipocere found during forensic examination of the Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchí ancient remains.     

Recovery of Environmental Human DNA by Insects*,†

Abstract: We tested the hypotheses that foraging insects can acquire human DNA from the environment and that insect‐delivered human DNA is of sufficient quantity and quality to permit standard forensic analyses. Houseflies, German cockroaches, and camel crickets were exposed to dusty surfaces and then assayed for human mitochondrial and nuclear loci by conventional and qPCR, and multiplex STR amplification. Over two experiments, 100% of insect groups and 94% of dust controls tested positive for human DNA. Of 177 individuals, 33–67% tested positive and 13 yielded quantifiable human DNA (mean = 0.022 ± 0.006 ng; mean dust control = 2.448 ± 0.960 ng); four had at least one positive allele call for one or more locus; eight others showed multiple peaks at some loci. Results imply that application to routine forensic casework is limited given current detection methodology yet demonstrate the potential use of insects as environmental samplers for human DNA.     

证明力规则检讨

中国的司法实践对证据的证明力表现出异乎寻常的关注,呼唤证明力规则、创造证明力规则并实践证明力规则。然而,当下的证据法学界对证明力规则往往持一种简单化的批判态度,其对于证明力规则的理性总结与学理思考相较于司法实务界倾注的努力不相适应。在以证明力为导向的证据法中,证明力规则的产生是一种必然。在证明力规则问题上,中国证据法学者在理论层面缺乏主体意识,但法律条文以及司法实践却显示了相当程度的主体性并保持了韧性。     

常见嗜尸性甲虫及蝇类虫体不同部位mtDNA的提取效果

目的探讨改良后十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(cetyltriethylammnonium bromide,CTAB)法对常见嗜尸性昆虫虫体不同部位mtDNA的提取效果。方法随机采集放置在呼和浩特地区室外草地家兔尸体上丽蝇科的丝光绿蝇[Lucilia sericata(Meigen)]、埋葬甲科的Nicrophorus fossor(Erichson)各13例,采用改良CTAB法分别提取每只昆虫头部、胸肌、腿部、翅膀4个部位的mtDNA,核酸蛋白测定仪检测DNA纯度及质量浓度,琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测其PCR产物,测定PCR产物序列,上传GenBank。结果 13例丝光绿蝇[Lu-cilia sericata(Meigen)]的胸肌均提取到了DNA,10例头部样本、6例腿部样本、4例翅膀样本得到DNA;13例Nicrophorus fossor(Erichson)胸肌DNA均提取成功,5例头部样本、8例腿部样本及3例翅膀样本提取出DNA。结论改良CTAB法可用于对嗜尸性昆虫胸肌及其他部位进行DNA的提取。     

猪传染性胃肠炎病毒S-N融合双基因疫苗的构建及其免疫原性分析

为了构建TGEV S-N融合双基因疫苗并分析其免疫原性,从S、N基因克隆质粒中以PCR扩增了S基因(2.1kb,含A、B、C、D抗原位点)和N基因(1.2kb),将S基因插入pVAX1载体构建了pVAX-S质粒,再将N基因插入pVAX-S中S基因末端,构建了融合表达S、N双基因的重组质粒pVAX-S-N,将pVAX-S-N转染COS7细胞以免疫荧光试验进行S、N双基因的表达鉴定。用纯化的pVAX-S-N和作为对照的pVAX-S、pVAX1、PBS免疫BALB/c小鼠,共免疫3次,分别测定免疫后第0、14、28、42天的小鼠血清IgG抗体,测定免疫后第42天小鼠外周血T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3+、CD4+、CD8+)的数量。结果,融合质粒pVAX-S-N可在COS7细胞特异性表达S、N两个蛋白,pVAX-S-N免疫小鼠后第14天即可诱导产生抗TGEV的特异性IgG,但pVAX-S-N诱导的抗体水平一直低于pVAX-S诱导的抗体水平,在免疫后第42天差异极显著(P<0.01);pVAX-S-N可激发小鼠产生细胞免疫应答,但pVAX-S-N组的CD3+、CD4+、CD8+数量均低于pVAX-S免疫组。研究结果表明,融合双基因疫苗pVAX-S-N具有免疫原性,但免疫效果却不如单基因疫苗pVAX-S的理想。     

延边地区牛瑟氏泰勒虫病的分子流行病学调查

为了解吉林省延边地区牛瑟氏泰勒虫病的流行情况,分别采用血涂片染色镜检法和PCR方法对采自延边地区的206份牛血液样本进行了牛瑟氏泰勒虫病的分子流行病学调查。结果显示,PCR检测的阳性率为62.6%,显著高于血涂片染色镜检法检测的阳性率(17.5%)。采用统计学分析方法对PCR检测的206份血液样本进行了不同地区、不同年龄、不同品种及饲养方式的比较;结果,不同地区之间和不同品种之间瑟氏泰勒虫感染率差异不显著(P>0.05);而不同年龄阶段之间和不同饲养方式之间牛瑟氏泰勒虫感染率差异显著(P<0.05)。结果表明,吉林省延边地区是牛瑟氏泰勒虫病的流行地区。     

Trace DNA Sampling Success from Evidence Items Commonly Encountered in Forensic Casework

Trace DNA analysis is a significant part of a forensic laboratory's workload. Knowing optimal sampling strategies and item success rates for particular item types can assist in evidence selection and examination processes and shorten turnaround times. In this study, forensic short tandem repeat (STR) casework results were reviewed to determine how often STR profiles suitable for comparison were obtained from “handler” and “wearer” areas of 764 items commonly submitted for examination. One hundred and fifty‐five (155) items obtained from volunteers were also sampled. Items were analyzed for best sampling location and strategy. For casework items, headwear and gloves provided the highest success rates. Experimentally, eyeglasses and earphones, T‐shirts, fabric gloves and watches provided the highest success rates. Eyeglasses and latex gloves provided optimal results if the entire surfaces were swabbed. In general, at least 10%, and up to 88% of all trace DNA analyses resulted in suitable STR profiles for comparison.