Comparisons of familial DNA database searching strategies

The current familial searching strategies are generally based on either Identity-By-State (IBS) (i.e., number of shared alleles) or likelihood ratio (i.e., kinship index [KI]) assessments. In this study, the expected IBS match probabilities given relationships and the logic of the likelihood ratio method were addressed. Further, the false-positive and false-negative rates of the strategies were compared analytically or by simulations using Caucasian population data of the 13 CODIS Short Tandem Repeat (STR). IBS ≥ 15, IBS ≥ 16, KI ≥ 1000, or KI ≥ 10,000 were found to be good thresholds for balancing false-positive and false-negative rates. IBS ≥ 17 and/or KI ≥ 1,000,000 can exclude the majority of candidate profiles in the database, either related or not, and may be an initial screening option if a small candidate list is desired. Polices combining both IBS and KI can provide higher accuracy. Typing additional STRs can provide better searching performance, and lineage markers can be extremely useful for reducing false rates.     

《虚拟医院LabHIS信息系统开发实验平台》教学实践与体会

就医院信息系统发展趋势与人才需求,总结分析了课程的教学目的,详细论述了如何开展实践课教学、如何培养学生应用三层架构的思想开发系统的综合应用能力与实践教学中的体会。最后,给出了学生开发、整合的LabHIS产品的应用举例。     

关于法庭科学DNA数据库若干问题的探讨

本文论述常染色体STR基因座的选取和数量对数据库直接匹配、亲缘关系检索、失踪人员检索等数据库检索应用可能带来的影响,指出大容量DNA数据库在应用中可能出现的问题,并讨论应用数据库时需要考虑的群体和群体内差异,以及Y染色体和线粒体DNA对数据库检索的辅助作用。旨在为今后建设和完善具有中国特色的大容量DNA数据库提供参考和帮助。     

Forensic identification science evidence since Daubert: Part II--judicial reasoning in decisions to exclude forensic identification evidence on grounds of reliability

Many studies regarding the legal status of forensic science have relied on the U.S. Supreme Court's mandate in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc., and its progeny in order to make subsequent recommendations or rebuttals. This paper focuses on a more pragmatic approach to analyzing forensic science's immediate deficiencies by considering a qualitative analysis of actual judicial reasoning where forensic identification evidence has been excluded on reliability grounds since the Daubert precedent. Reliance on general acceptance is becoming insufficient as proof of the admissibility of forensic evidence. The citation of unfounded statistics, error rates and certainties, a failure to document the analytical process or follow standardized procedures, and the existence of observe bias represent some of the concerns that have lead to the exclusion or limitation of forensic identification evidence. Analysis of these reasons may serve to refocus forensic practitioners' testimony, resources, and research toward rectifying shortfalls in these areas.     

A population genetic database of cat breeds developed in coordination with a domestic cat STR multiplex

A simple tandem repeat (STR) PCR-based typing system developed for the genetic individualization of domestic cat samples has been used to generate a population genetic database of domestic cat breeds. A panel of 10 tetranucleotide STR loci and a gender-identifying sequence tagged site (STS) were co-amplified in genomic DNA of 1043 individuals representing 38 cat breeds. The STR panel exhibits relatively high heterozygosity in cat breeds, with an average 10-locus heterozygosity of 0.71, which represents an average of 38 breed-specific heterozygosities for the 10-member panel. When the entire set of breed individuals was analyzed as a single population, a heterozygosity of 0.87 was observed. Heterozygosities obtained for the 10 loci range from 0.72 to 0.96. The power for genetic individualization of domestic cat samples of the multiplex is high, with a probability of match (p(m)) of 6.2E-14, using a conservative θ = 0.05.     

TFD-2纸张手印快速显现系统的应用

目的介绍一种利用特殊的红外热成像技术显现常见纸张上汗潜手印的新方法。方法利用英国Foster4-Freeman公司生产的TFD-2纸张手印快速显现系统,通过特殊的红外热成像技术,使汗潜手印呈现强烈荧光,从而显现手印。结果红外热成像方法处理后,汗潜手印在特种激发光（带宽为450nm-510nm）激发下显出较强的橙色荧光;持续处理后,汗潜手印在自然光下呈棕褐色,并在短波紫外光源（254nm）激发下也可显出清晰连贯的手印纹线;而且,新鲜和陈旧手印均有较好的显现效果。结论TFD-2纸张手印快速显现系统显现纸张上汗潜手印的方法,具有操作简单、快速安全、无需化学试剂、显现效果明显的特点,适合推广使用。     

短波紫外照射对汗潜手印DNA检测的影响初探

目的探测短波紫外灯的照射是否会对汗潜手印DNA检测产生影响。方法由每名志愿者在纸张上捺印4枚拇指指印使每枚指印的脱落细胞量保持基本相同,抽取每名志愿者所捺印的一枚指印作为一组,共有四组,将三组指印置于短波紫外灯的照射下,照射时间分别设置为10min﹑30min和1h,还有一组不照射,然后用磁珠法对所有指印提取DNA并进行定量。结果短波紫外灯的照射会对汗潜手印中的DNA造成减损,照射时间越长,减损得越多。结论尽量减少短波紫外灯对汗潜手印照射的时间(可控制在10min内),以保证汗潜手印有足够量的DNA而能被用于STR分型检测。     

DFO／PVP试剂显现热敏纸上汗潜指纹方法研究

目的建立热敏纸上汗潜手印显现的新方法。方法根据DFO／PVP溶液能够阻碍热敏纸的显色,能够和手印遗留物质中的氨基酸发生显色反应的原理来显现手印。结果PVP浓度为5％、7．5％、10％时,荧光效果较好;DFO／PVP试剂显现热敏纸上汗潜指纹不会导致背景变黑;DFO／PVP试剂在热敏纸上的显现效果优于DFO试剂;对遗留时间为154天的ATM机上一枚凭证显出了清晰的指纹纹线。结论DFO／PVP显现法操作简单、安全可靠、显出率高、荧光强。     

Performance evaluation of automated fingerprint identification systems for specific conditions observed in casework using simulated fingermarks

Few studies have been reported on the performance evaluation of automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) for fingermark-to-fingerprint comparisons. This paper aims to illustrate to fingerprint examiners the relevance of evaluating the AFIS performance under specific conditions by carrying out five types of performance tests. The conditions addressed are the number of minutiae assigned to a fingermark, manual and automatic assignment of the minutiae, the finger region from which the fingermark originates, the degree of distortion in the fingermark, and the difference in orientation between fingermarks and fingerprints. In these tests, the magnitude of the influence for each condition was quantified. The comparisons were performed using a research AFIS technology with simulated fingermarks. Simulated fingermarks provide a practical way to create fingermarks for specific conditions in large quantities. The results showed that each condition influences the performance significantly, emphasizing the relevance of developing, and applying performance tests for specific conditions.     

Introducing a semi-automatic method to simulate large numbers of forensic fingermarks for research on fingerprint identification

Statistical research on fingerprint identification and the testing of automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) performances require large numbers of forensic fingermarks. These fingermarks are rarely available. This study presents a semi-automatic method to create simulated fingermarks in large quantities that model minutiae features or images of forensic fingermarks. This method takes into account several aspects contributing to the variability of forensic fingermarks such as the number of minutiae, the finger region, and the elastic deformation of the skin. To investigate the applicability of the simulated fingermarks, fingermarks have been simulated with 5-12 minutiae originating from different finger regions for six fingers. An AFIS matching algorithm was used to obtain similarity scores for comparisons between the minutiae configurations of fingerprints and the minutiae configurations of simulated and forensic fingermarks. The results showed similar scores for both types of fingermarks suggesting that the simulated fingermarks are good substitutes for forensic fingermarks.