Genealogical databases as a tool for extending follow‐up in clinical reviews

This paper describes follow-up for a cohort of 4530 residents living in the asbestos manufacturing community of Ambler, PA, U.S. in 1930. Using re-identified census data, cause and date of death data obtained from the genealogic website Ancestry.com, along with geospatial analysis, we explored relationships among demographic characteristics, occupational, paraoccupational and environmental asbestos exposures. We identified death data for 2430/4530 individuals. Exposure differed significantly according to race, gender, age, and recency of immigration to the U.S. Notably, there was a significant difference in the availability of year of death information for non-white vs. white individuals (odds ratio (OR) = 0.62 p-value <0.001), females (OR = 0.53, p-value <0.001), first-generation immigrants (OR = 0.67, p-value = 0.001), second-generation immigrants (OR = 0.31, p-value <0.001) vs. non-immigrants, individuals aged less than 20 (OR = 0.31 p-value <0.001) and individuals aged 20 to 59 (OR = 0.63, p-value <0.001) vs. older individuals. Similarly, the cause of death was less often available for non-white individuals (OR = 0.42, p-value <0.001), first-generation immigrants and (OR = 0.71, p-value = 0.009), second-generation immigrants (OR = 0.49, p-value <0.001), individuals aged less than 20 (OR = 0.028 p-value <0.001), and individuals aged 20 to 59 (OR = 0.26, p-value <0.001). These results identified ascertainment bias that is important to consider in analyses that investigate occupational, para-occupational and environmental asbestos exposure as risk factors for mortality in this historic cohort. While this study attempts to describe methods for assessing itemized asbestos exposure profiles for a community in 1930 using Ancestry.com and other publicly accessible databases, it also highlights how historic cohort studies likely underestimate the impact of asbestos exposure on vulnerable populations. Future work will aim to assess mortality patterns in this cohort.

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Ascertainment Bias in a Historic Cohort Study of Residents in an Asbestos Manufacturing Community

Wortzel

Wiebe

Elahi

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Recent Developments in Forensic DNA Typing

Simayijiang,

Yan

2023

Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine

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The field of forensic DNA typing, often referred to as “DNA fingerprinting,” has evolved and expanded considerably since its beginnings in the mid-1980s. Originally, forensic DNA typing was primarily used for individual identification and criminal investigations, but it has evolved into a versatile discipline with a wide range of applications. This article addresses the growing scope of forensic genetics, which includes advances in DNA sequencing technologies, mixture analysis, body fluid identification, phenotypic profiling, forensic genealogy, microbiological analysis, exploration of novel markers, and ethical and legal considerations. These developments have enabled the analysis of difficult samples and provided comprehensive insights into the origins of biological evidence. In an ever-evolving landscape, forensic genetics continues to shape the future of forensic science by providing new tools and techniques that help deliver justice in an increasingly complex world.

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Genealogical databases as a tool for extending follow‐up in clinical reviews

Cited by 2 publications

References 5 publications

Ascertainment Bias in a Historic Cohort Study of Residents in an Asbestos Manufacturing Community

Ascertainment Bias in a Historic Cohort Study of Residents in an Asbestos Manufacturing Community

Recent Developments in Forensic DNA Typing

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