DNA Typing for the Identification of Old Skeletal Remains from Korean War Victims*

Abstract

The identification of missing casualties of the Korean War (1950-1953) has been performed using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) profiles, but recent advances in DNA extraction techniques and approaches using smaller amplicons have significantly increased the possibility of obtaining DNA profiles from highly degraded skeletal remains. Therefore, 21 skeletal remains of Korean War victims and 24 samples from biological relatives of the supposed victims were selected based on circumstantial evidence and/or mtDNA-matching results and were analyzed to confirm the alleged relationship. Cumulative likelihood ratios were obtained from autosomal short tandem repeat, Y-chromosomal STR, and mtDNA-genotyping results, and mainly confirmed the alleged relationship with values over 10⁵. The present analysis emphasizes the value of mini- and Y-STR systems as well as an efficient DNA extraction method in DNA testing for the identification of old skeletal remains.

Modified Midi‐ and Mini‐Multiplex PCR Systems for Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Sequence Analysis in Degraded Samples

“…In addition, the multiplex system presented here requires only two or three amplification reactions per sample to amplify mtDNA HV regions, whereas a previous method based on monoplex amplification required five and eight amplification reactions per sample using midi‐primer set and mini‐primer set, respectively . Moreover, the success rate of the multiplex system (>95%) was high enough to compensate the need for additional amplification of the failed PCR fragment.…”

Effectiveness of Coupled Application of AmpFℓSTR Yfiler Kit and Reduced Size Y‐chromosomal Short Tandem Repeat Analysis for Archeological Human Bones

“…Some Y‐STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS438, DYS439, and DYS635) of the AmpF l STR Yfiler kit analysis were replaced with custom‐designed primer sets for the same loci. Briefly, the designs of four primers (DYS390, DYS392, DYS438, and DYS653) were based upon those already reported in the work of Lee et al . On the other hand, DYS391 and DYS439 were newly designed by us using FastPCR program (Primer Digital Ltd., Helsinki, Finland) (Data S1 and S2).…”

“…Briefly, Sturk et al showed that under modified Yfiler system amplification parameters, Y‐STR profiles from highly degraded skeletal samples could be obtained. Enhancement to Yfiler kit analysis also was achieved by the coupled use of new primer sets designed to move as close as possible to the target Y‐STR locus area . By replacing some Y‐STR profiles of the Yfiler kit with those of newly designed primer sets for the same loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS635, DYS438, DYS439, DYS392, DYS385), genetic information that was not be obtained by the sole use of the Yfiler system could be recovered successfully from the degraded DNA samples.…”

“…By replacing some Y‐STR profiles of the Yfiler kit with those of newly designed primer sets for the same loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS635, DYS438, DYS439, DYS392, DYS385), genetic information that was not be obtained by the sole use of the Yfiler system could be recovered successfully from the degraded DNA samples. Trials with this new system proved fruitful in examinations performed on skeletons dating to the relatively recent Korean War victims or on exceptionally well‐preserved Joseon mummy .…”

Improved Y-STR typing for disaster victim identification, missing persons investigations, and historical human skeletal remains

“…There are many scenarios encountered in forensic casework in which bone may be the only viable sample type for DNA testing, including fires, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, war conflicts, airline crashes, homicide, and mass graves from oppressive regimes [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. In addition, skeletal remains often are the only samples available in historical and archaeological cases [17][18][19][20][21][22].…”