Assessment of <scp>STR</scp> Typing Success Rate in Soft Tissues from Putrefied Bodies Based on a Quantitative Grading System for Putrefaction

Courts, Cornelius; Sauer, Eva; Hofmann, Yaiza; Madea, Burkhard; Schyma, Christian

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12746

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Also, proceeding microbial growth augments DNA degradation [6], and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors like humic compounds, produced during decay processes, or Ca 2+ ions, from dry bones, can impair the polymerase activity during PCR [7,8]. Since the degree of decomposition depends on several factors like environmental conditions, which can impact the human body unevenly, the extent of DNA degradation can strongly vary among tissue types [2,[9][10][11][12]. Therefore, the question of the right sampling material arises which directly affects STR genotyping and the desired ID success of altered human remains [5,10,11,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, long, compact bones, healthy teeth, and/or other available bones should be the first choice for decomposed corpses. However, bone samples can be sensibly circumvented if soft tissues are still available as osseous preparation is more time-consuming, tedious and requires well-trained staff [9,17,18]. Therefore, multiple studies describe alternative sample materials like bladder swabs [3,12], nails [11,19,20] or soft tissues like intervertebral discs [4], organs [9,17] or the Achilles tendon [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Recommendations for the successful identification of altered human remains using standard and emerging technologies: Results of a systematic approach

Senst

Caliebe²,

Drum³

et al. 2023

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for the successful identification of altered human remains using standard and emerging technologies: Results of a systematic approach

Senst

Caliebe²,

Drum³

et al. 2023

Forensic Science International: Genetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…However, high quality DNA is typically restricted to fresh tissue samples. Decomposition processes and/or environmental factors reduce the stability and integrity of DNA within and between tissues [ 10 – 12 ]. Thus, for bodies in advanced stages of putrefaction, when suitable samples of organs and muscles may no be longer available, solid material such as teeth or bones have to be used for analysis [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The human intervertebral disc as a source of DNA for molecular identification

Becker

Mahlke

Ritz‐Timme

et al. 2021

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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Genetic analyses such as STR-typing are routinely used for identification purposes in forensic casework. Although genotyping techniques only require a minimum amount of DNA to provide a genetic profile, DNA quality differs not only between but also within tissues during ongoing decomposition. Initiated by a recent case where, due to the constitution of the body, preferred tissue was not available or only resulted in a partial and not usable DNA profile, the analysis of intervertebral discs as a source of DNA was considered. As the analysis of this tissue resulted in a high quality DNA profile a further study was performed in which thirty intervertebral discs dissected from bodies in different stages of decay were analyzed. All samples yielded good quality DNA in quantities suitable for STR-based amplification with no or only low degradation indices, resulting in complete genetic profiles. These results demonstrate the robustness of human intervertebral disc tissue as a source of DNA for molecular identification purposes.

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“…A multidisciplinary approach is generally used to identify human remains after a disaster [1]. However, unlike other methods, DNA can be used to identify small amounts of bone or tissue and remains that are highly decomposed or charred [8][9][10][11][12][13]. This is particularly important in mass disasters, where bodies may be found in conditions that make them impossible to identify by other means [2,[4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collection and storage of DVI samples with microFLOQ® Direct swabs for direct amplification

Loockerman

Miller

Ramsey

et al. 2021

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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The rapid identification of decomposing human remains is a crucial component of disaster victim identification (DVI), often occurring in remote areas without access to laboratory or storage facilities. Due to the ease of collection and amenability to storage in harsh conditions, swabs may be used to collect DNA from decomposing remains as an alternative to sampling tissue or bone. Direct amplification could further streamline the process and reduce costs. This study investigated the efficacy of direct amplification of DVI samples using microFLOQ® Direct swabs and the QIAGEN Investigator QS GO! Kit. A comparison of performance between direct amplification and traditional methods was made to assess whether direct amplification offered an improvement to traditional methods. DNA was collected by swabbing the muscle of a decomposing human cadaver using three swab types (ADS Genetics 4N6FLOQSwabs®, NADS Genetics 4N6FLOQSwabs®, and the microFLOQ® Direct swab). Traditional swabs (4N6FLOQSwabs®) were extracted and quantified, while a direct amplification strategy was used with the microFLOQ® Direct swabs coupled with the Investigator 24Plex GO! Kit. Processing of the microFLOQ® Direct swabs were optimized and a hybrid strategy that used 4N6FLOQSwabs® to collect and store DNA before swabbing or "subsampling" the 4N6FLOQSwabs® for processing with microFLOQ® Direct swabs was developed. This hybrid strategy allowed for rapid processing without the consumption of the original sample. Traditional and direct PCR methods were comparable up to day 10 of decomposition depending on the sample location and for up to 3 months of storage at room temperature. This research indicated that microFLOQ® Direct swabs in conjunction with the Investigator 24Plex GO! Kit can be used to facilitate rapid direct processing of DNA from decomposing human remains.

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Assessment of STR Typing Success Rate in Soft Tissues from Putrefied Bodies Based on a Quantitative Grading System for Putrefaction

Cited by 13 publications

References 16 publications

Recommendations for the successful identification of altered human remains using standard and emerging technologies: Results of a systematic approach

Recommendations for the successful identification of altered human remains using standard and emerging technologies: Results of a systematic approach

The human intervertebral disc as a source of DNA for molecular identification

Collection and storage of DVI samples with microFLOQ® Direct swabs for direct amplification

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