Identification of the source of ivory idol by DNA analysis

In this study, we describe a forensic case dealing with the identification of the source of the processed ivory object by DNA analysis. Two pieces of Lord Krishna's idols from a shop were confiscated by an investigating agency of the Indian government and forwarded to us to identify the source of its origin. We succeeded in isolating DNA from both processed ivory idols by using the phenol/chloroform DNA extraction method. The extracted DNA was subjected to PCR amplification using an elephant-specific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop marker. DNA sequence analysis of the amplified fragment of mtDNA D-loop region confirmed that the idols were consistent with Asian elephant with 99% similarity.     

The use of Hemastix® severely reduces DNA recovery using the BioRobot® EZ1

Abstract: The choice of reagents for presumptive tests for blood, and subsequent extraction methodologies, can significantly affect both the quantity and quality of purified DNA. Blood samples directly tested with Hemastix^® yielded <1% of the DNA recovered from untested samples when purified using the Qiagen BioRobot^® EZ1 and EZ1^® DNA Investigator kit. Full short tandem repeat profiles were obtained from both tested and untested samples, suggesting that the Hemastix^® reagent(s) affect DNA binding, rather than produce DNA damage. The Hemastix^® inhibition of DNA yield could be overcome by the addition of MTL buffer to the sample prior to extraction. Laboratories may wish to modify current procedures for extracting blood samples, utilize other extraction/purification methodologies, or inform their submitting agencies to avoid direct exposure of questioned bloodstains to Hemastix^® reagents.     

Ethical and legal consideration of prisoner's hunger strike in Serbia

Hunger strike of prisoners and detainees remains a major human rights and ethical issue for medical professionals. We are reporting on a case of a 48-year-old male sentenced prisoner, intravenous heroin user, who went on a hunger strike and died 15 days later. Throughout the fasting period, the prisoner, who was capable of decision making, refused any medical examination. Autopsy findings were not supporting prolonged starvation, while toxicology revealed benzodiazepines and opiates in blood and urine. Cause of death was given as "heroin intoxication" in keeping with detection of 6-MAM. Legal and ethical issues pertinent to medical examination and treatment of prisoners on hunger strike are explored in accordance with legislation and professional ethical standards in Serbia. A recommendation for the best autopsy practice in deaths following hunger strike has been made.     

Rapid direct PCR for ABO blood typing

Many different molecular typing methods have been reported to complement routine serological ABO blood typing in forensics. However, these ABO genotyping methods are often time-consuming and call for an initial DNA isolation step that requires the use of expensive kits or reagents. We report here a rapid direct ABO genotyping method that eliminates the need for DNA extraction from fresh blood, hair, and body fluid stains before PCR. Using a fast PCR instrument and an optimized polymerase, the genotyping method-which employs a multiplex allele-specific primer set for the simultaneous detection of three single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites (nucleotides 261, 526, and 803)-identifies A, B, O01/O02, O03, and cis-AB01 alleles in around 70 min from sample collection to electropherogram. Not only will this ABO genotyping method be efficiently used in forensic practice for rapid screening of samples before full-blown multilocus short tandem repeat profiling, but it will also demonstrate an example of rapid direct genotyping of SNPs that offers the advantages of time- and cost-efficiency, convenience, and reduced contamination during DNA analysis.     

DNA甲基化及其与个体年龄相关性研究

近年来表观遗传学研究发现,基因组DNA甲基化总体水平随年龄增加而降低,同时部分位点的甲基化水平却随年龄增加而升高。本文重点介绍了DNA甲基化与年龄的相关性及其在年龄推断方面的研究进展,旨在为法医学个体年龄推断的研究提供一种新的思路。     

甲醛固定石蜡包埋组织DNA提取方法比较

目的比较甲醛固定石蜡包埋尸检组织中三种提取DNA的方法对DNA质量的影响,寻找一种操作简便、污染较少、经济实用的石蜡包埋组织中提取DNA的方法。方法选取经甲醛固定石蜡包埋的心肌组织20例,分别以二甲苯脱蜡-酚氯仿法、改良TES水浴脱蜡-酚氯仿法、试剂盒法提取DNA,进行电泳分析、紫外分光光度计测定A260/A280值及PCR扩增。结果改良TES水浴脱蜡-酚氯仿法抽提DNA法、二甲苯脱蜡-酚氯仿法分别与试剂盒法所提取DNA的A260/A280值相比较,均有显著性意义（P〈0.01）。二甲苯脱蜡-酚氯仿法、改良TES水浴脱蜡-酚氯仿法所提取DNA的A260/A280值相比较,无显著性意义（P〉0.05）。以改良TES水浴脱蜡-酚氯仿法所得DNA为模板,扩增的目的条带亮度与阳性对照相当。结论结果证实改良TES水浴脱蜡-酚氯仿法简便有效,所用试剂价格低廉,是一种经济实用的石蜡包埋组织DNA提取方法。     

Characterization of Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Heteroplasmy in Blood Tissue and Hair as a Function of Hair Morphology*,†,‡

Abstract: This study characterizes mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence heteroplasmy in blood tissue and hair as a function of hair morphology. Bloodstains (127 individuals) and head hairs (128 individuals) were typed using the mtDNA LINEAR ARRAY? assay. A total of 1589 hairs were interpreted: 1478 (93%) were homoplasmic and 111 (7%) exhibited heteroplasmy at one or more positions. Seventy‐one percent (82/116) of individuals were homoplasmic, whereas 29% (34/116) exhibited heteroplasmy in at least one hair. The results demonstrate intra‐ and inter‐tissue differences in heteroplasmy within individuals. Sequence heteroplasmy among hairs from each individual varied from 0 to 90%; the frequency does not differ significantly with population group, cosmetic treatment, age, gender, medulla morphology, region of the scalp, hair growth phase, or, when comparing living and deceased donors. However, the results support a correlation between heteroplasmy and hair pigmentation; typically, lighter‐pigmented hairs exhibit a higher incidence of sequence heteroplasmy compared to darker hairs.     

收入风险与个人职业选择——基于风险态度的研究

本文采用"北京市企事业单位职工就业状况调查"的数据,对北京市国有部门和私人部门职工的收入风险、风险态度与其职业选择之间的关系进行了实证研究。结果发现:越愿意冒风险的个体,越不会选择去国有部门工作,这反映了风险态度对个人职业选择的影响;个人选择在国有部门工作,主要是考虑到收入、工作压力、社会地位、工作稳定性这四个因素;就我们的调查样本而言,只有受过较高教育程度(硕士及以上)的个体选择私人部门工作才获得了收入风险补偿。据此,文章提出了完善劳动力市场的政策建议。     

The unbearable rightfulness of being human: citizenship,displacement, and the right to not have rights

Claims to human rights protection made by displaced persons are displaced from the universe of humanity and rendered ineffective by the geopolitical character of modern international human rights law, in favour of the protection of citizens' rights claims. In response, there is increasing interest in leveraging respect for and protection of the rights of displaced persons through extension of the rights enjoyed and supposedly borne by emplaced citizens. However, it is a mistake to assume that humans as citizens bear human rights or that the freedoms that they may be able to extend beyond state boundaries are universalisable. The extension of the right to citizenship functions to displace questions of human rights themselves. The question of the human in rights is in fact always displaced, as long as the human subject is acted upon as if it could possess rights. In paying attention to the critical perspectives with which displaced persons confront the citizen, she or he may come to appreciate the fact that the universality of human rights is served where one does not claim to have rights but, rather, actively engages, without limits, with others in the struggle for rights and their respect.     

‘Kat Mai Ploi’ – bite and don't let go: motherhood and pursuits of justice in Thailand

This article examines the long-term struggles of two Thai mothers to define and attain their visions of justice: one to recover land flooded by a state dam project and the other to defy a municipal order to demolish her house for a vehicle turn-around. In particular, it studies how tropes and institutions of motherhood and human rights articulate with, and provide social and political resources to one another as these two women fight to lay claim to traditions of rights specific to Thai society.