Human identification and analysis of DNA in bones

Abstract

The introduction of molecular biology techniques, especially of DNA analysis, for human identification is a recent advance in legal medicine. Substantial effort has continuously been made in an attempt to identify cadavers and human remains after wars, socio-political problems and mass disasters. In addition, because of the social dynamics of large cities, there are always cases of missing people, as well as unidentified cadavers and human remains that are found. In the last few years, there has also been an increase in requests for exhumation of human remains in order to determine genetic relationships in civil suits and court action. The authors provide an extensive review of the literature regarding the use of this new methodology for human identification of ancient or recent bones.

Forensic Genetics and Genotyping

“…The DNA quality really influences on genotyping and polymorphism chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Another common problem is the presence of inhibitors of DNA analysis and PCR amplification (26).…”

“…At the same time, DNA in dead cells degrades under the influence of endonucleases and exonucleases (5,26). The level of degradation also depends on the type of analyzed tissue (29).…”

Forensic investigation, truth and trust in the context of transitional justice in Brazil

“…In Brazil, considerable research effort has been directed towards improved genetic identification from complex samples such as exhumed bones and other challenging biological material, 36 as well as to frequency studies of DNA markers in the Brazilian population that can be used in calculations of probability. 37 Hardtissue specimens recovered from the thirty skeletons of indigent people described above were investigated in a combined histological and DNA analysis conducted 39 for example, described procedures for the genetic investigation of bones from individual exhumations.…”

Dental Pulp Fibroblast and Sex Determination in Controlled Burial Conditions

“…One of the fundamental or key parameters to begin the process of forensic identification is sex estimation (Veeraraghavan et al, 2010), for which the use of genetic material is relevant (Iwamura et al, 2004). In the search of new, simple, quick and at lower cost methods, the observation of sexual chromatin or Barr Body has been used (Barr & Bertram, 1949), which are found in several types of somatic cells (Vera et al, 1986), as is present in some cellular elements of dental pulp (Suazo et al, 2011).…”