Determination of Sex of an Individual by Identifying SRY Gene through PCR Analysis of DNA Extracted From Incinerated Teeth-A Single Blind Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Sex determination using skeletal fragments presents a great difficulty to forensic investigators. The teeth are resistant to all conditions due to relatively high degree of physical and chemical resistance of the dental structure. With the development of Polymerised Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA analysis of teeth for sex determination could be performed in bodies that are severely mutilated. Aim and Objective: To determine the reliability of sex determination from incinerated teeth samples using Polymerised Chain Reaction. Materials and Methods: The study was carried on 10 maxillary and mandibular premolars and permanent molars (5male, 5-female). Ten samples were subjected to analysis after the storage period of 6 months. All samples were incinerated at 3000 C for 60 minutes to mimic the forensic scene. DNA extraction was done using Real Genomics YGB 100 DNA extraction kit. DNA quantification was performed using Nano-drop 100 spectrophotometer. SRY gene detection was done by the Real Plex Master Cycler. Results: Gender identification was done by amplification of sex determining region on Y chromosome gene using real time polymerase chain reaction. The prediction rate for males was 100 % and for females was 80% .The difference in the prediction of gender was found to be statistically significant (p value-0.04). Conclusion: DNA extraction was successful in all the incinerated samples which were incinerated till 3000C. Hence, teeth are reliable source for sex determination with 100 % accuracy using Real time PCR.