Kamis, 17 Juli 2014





P-105
A multiplex PCR design for simultaneous genotyping of X chromosome short tandem repeat markers

Gomes I1,2, Carracedo A2, Amorim A1,3, Gusmão L1

1Institute of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, University of Porto, Portugal
2Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago of Compostela, Spain
3Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal

Short tandem repeat markers (STRs) are extensively used as genetic tools in forensic and population studies. Genotyping of STRs located on the autosomes and on the Y chromosome (ChrY) has revealed significant information for application in these fields, whereas X-chromosome STRs have so far played a slender role. However, in the past few years, the human X chromosome has become object of studies that focus on genetic markers suitable for population and forensic analysis. In forensics, X-STRs can complement other STRs located on other chromosomes, especially in complex kinship testing, as in the so-called paternity missing cases, when the probant is female.
In this work, experimental designs were conducted in order to develop a multiplex PCR amplification strategy for X-STR genetic markers. ChrX loci were selected according to the informative power of each locus described in previous population studies. A tetraplex system for the following X chromosome genetic markers, DXS7423, DXS101, DXS8377 and HPRTB (human phosphoribosyl transferase) was optimized in a single PCR reaction. These short tandem repeat markers were typed in 65 individuals (29 female and 36 male samples) from a Galician population (Northern Spain) sample. Locus DXS7423 revealed 5 alleles (alleles 13-17) and DXS101 12 alleles (alleles 17-29). For the DXS8377 marker, 17 alleles were found (alleles 40-57) followed by 12 alleles for the HPRTB locus (alleles 9-16). In this genetic study of the Galician population, allele frequencies were estimated for all loci. We compared our data to those obtained in a German population study (Edelmann et al., 2001; Szibor et al., 2003) and as expected, exposed similar results. The simultaneous typing of ChrX markers for population and forensic studies is a pratical and simple method to obtain large amounts of information as proven in many other studies using autosomal and Y-chromosomal markers.
Contact: igomes@ipatimup.pt  

P-106
Y-chromosome lineages from Portugal, Madeira and Azores record elements of Sephardim and Berber ancestry

Gonçalves R, Freitas A, Branco M, Rosa A, Fernandes AT, Brehm A

Human Genetics Laboratory, University of Madeira, Campus of Penteada, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal


A total of 553 Y-chromosomes were analyzed from mainland Portugal and the North Atlantic Archipelagos of Azores and Madeira, in order to characterize the genetic composition of their male gene pool. A large majority (78-83% of each population) of the male lineages could be classified as belonging to three basic Y chromosomal haplogroups R1b, J, and E3b. While R1b, accounting for more than half of the lineages in any of the Portuguese sub-populations, is a characteristic marker of many different West European populations, haplogroups J and E3b consist of lineages that are typical from the circum-Mediterranean region or even East Africa. Highly diverse haplogroup E3b in Portuguese likely combines sub-clades of distinct origins.  The present composition of the Y chromosomes in Portugal in this haplogroup likely reflects a pre-Arab component shared with North African populations or testifies, at least in part to the influence of Sephardic Jews. In contrast to marginally low sub-Saharan African Y chromosome component in Portuguese,  such lineages have been detected at moderately high frequency in our previous survey of mtDNA in the same samples indicating to the presence of sex-related gene flow most likely mediated by the Atlantic slave trade.

Contact: ritaAG@uma.pt 

P-107
DNA mixtures in forensic casework: report of 32 criminal
cases resolved with autosomic STRs


Fabricio González-Andrade 1   Dora Sánchez. 1    Miguel Bolea 2  Begoña Martínez-Jarreta 2

1 Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Metropolitan Hospital (Ecuador)
2 Department of Legal Medicine, University of Zaragoza (Spain)


To assess the technical and judicial consequences resulting from the practical application of DNA testing in forensic research in the numerous sex crimes in Ecuador. When a sample contains DNA from more than one contributor, the interpretation of its genetic profile becomes complicated. The incidence, complexity, and importance of mixed profiles is increasing due to the sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based typing methods. Mixed DNA samples fromat least two contributors can be originated at the scene of crime, in the course of sample-handling by investigating personnel or others, during forensic examination,or in the laboratory. However, in casework, samples may be degraded, unbalanced, contaminated, etc. thus overriding theoretical approaches from programmed validation assays with laboratory samples. The aim of this work is review our casework results obtained with the mixed genetic STR profiles encountered in our laboratory. Occasionally interpretation guidelines from validation studies are difficult to apply to real forensic casework, especially in the case of mixed samples. Exogenous contamination, an unknown number of contributors or unbalanced proportion of each one in the sample and a varied degree of degradation of the biological materials, contribute to the difficulties in the interpretation of sample profiles. In this paper we have reviewed all the mixed genetic STR profiles encountered in our laboratory and evaluated the problems in the interpretation of the results. From 32 criminal cases with 53 samples typed, 36 showed a mixed profile.

Key words: DNA mixtures • STR •  sex offences • Forensic casework •  PCR • Justice

Correspondence: fabriciogonzalez@usa.net    

P-108
DNA typing in missing persons in Ecuador

Fabricio González-Andrade 1   Dora Sánchez. 1    Miguel Bolea 2  Begoña Martínez-Jarreta 2

1 Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Metropolitan Hospital (Ecuador)
2 Department of Legal Medicine, University of Zaragoza (Spain)


Relevant efforts have been continuously made to identify cadavers and human remains after wars, socio-political disturbances, and mass disasters. In many cases, the use of DNA typing techniques offers a definitive answer for identification of victims and thus a direct social benefit is realized. Although DNA analysis is a highly discriminatory method, it is not self-sufficient and could not replace an anthropological evaluation. Amplification and typing of DNA extracted from compact bone of human remains could be useful in establishing the identity of a person, as well as in excluding possible false identifications. Body identification are making by using the results from relatives blood samples and information gathered from family trees, to predict the genotype of the deceased family member, in a paternity style analysis.

There are two types of situations for DNA testing, called close and open studies. Close studies are those in which the remains where a family member has recognized a personal item they believe belonged to the individual the family member claims is missing, or where some form of identification has been found on or near the body, and there is a general agreement on physical characteristics between ante mortem and post mortem data. In other words, when we know personal identity a priori. An open study is when the identities of all the victims is not known a priori. Open cases involve remains where there is a little or no information as to identify individuals. We report 8 cases of missing persons that we resolved by STRs technology.

Key words: DNA typing • STR • Forensic casework • PCR • missing persons • Justice
Correspondence: fabriciogonzalez@usa.net

P-109
Genetic data from Huaoranies Amerindian, the last nomad population from Ecuador, using Power Plex 16 and Power Plex Y

Fabricio González-Andrade 1   Dora Sánchez. 1    Miguel Bolea 2  Begoña Martínez-Jarreta 2

1 Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Metropolitan Hospital (Ecuador)
2 Department of Legal Medicine, University of Zaragoza (Spain)
Huaoranies, Aucas or Jíbaros are last nomad Amerindians from Ecuador and from Amazonia region. There are only two thousand individuals in small family groups, located Between the Napo river in north, and Curaray river in the south. They speak Hao Tiriro. Linguist studies have been demonstrated that there are not congeners for this language. They are a people in extinction, like all diversity from Amazonia.
 In a few years, Huaoranies to become extinct by the oil industry. State of Ecuador has recognized different indigenous nationalities, with own identity and language. Ethnicity means cultural practices and moral values to distinguish groups and communities. Individuals from ethnic group see themselves like different to others social and native groups. This concept has two dimensions: cultural and social characteristics (language, religion, faith, location, etc.) and a sense shared of identity and tradition. Indigenous Nationality means a joint of thousand-year old peoples before to Ecuadorian State, that has an historical identity, language and shared culture, that live in a certain territory, among his institutions and traditional forms of social, economical, political organization and practice of his own authority. Amerindians from Ecuador live around all the country.
Adequate evaluation of the DNA forensic evidence need of proper databases on STR polymorphisms distribution. In this paper, we report the allele frequency distribution of STR loci (CSF1PO, TPOX, TH01, F13A01, VWA, D13S317, D16S539, D5S818, D7S820, LPL, HPRTB, F13B), and Y Chromosome STR (DYS 19, DYS 385 a,  DYS385 b, DYS, 389 I,  DYS 389 II, DYS 390, DYS 391, DYS 392, DYS 393, DYS437, DYS 438, DYS 439) that have proven to be extremely useful for forensic casework, human identification and population genetics in a population sample of Amerindian Huaoranies from Ecuador.
Correspondence: fabriciogonzalez@usa.net

P-110
Sub-typing of mtDNA haplogroup H by SnaPshot minisequencing

Grignani P1, Peloso G1, Alù M2, Ricci U3, Robino C4, Fattorini P5, Previderè C1
1Dipartimento di Medicina Legale e Sanità Pubblica, Università di Pavia, Italy
2Dip Integrato Servizi Diagnostici di Lab e di Med Leg, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy
3UO di Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria "A. Meyer", Firenze, Italy
4Dipartimento di Anatomia, Farmacologia e Medicina Legale, Università di Torino, Italy
5UCO di Medicina Legale, Università di Trieste, Italy
Sequencing analysis of hypervariable regions HVSI/II is the most common approach to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) typing in the context of anthropological and medical studies. In the forensic field, mtDNA analysis is particularly important in human identification caseworks where the amount of genomic DNA recovered from samples as skeletal remains and hair shafts is extremely reduced. The presence of multiple copies of mtDNA in any cell can help in collecting a genetic result where typing of conventional STRs fails or gives unreliable results. However, the discrimination power of mtDNA typing is quite low also as a consequence of the maternal inheritance; in fact, about 7% of the Caucasian population shares the same HVSI/II sequence. In order to increase the discrimination of the common sequences for forensic purposes, it could be useful to characterise other mtDNA polymorphisms, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the coding region defining the most common European haplogroups. Point mutation detection can be performed by PCR amplification of a fragment containing the polymorphic site and restriction fragment analysis (RFLP) on agarose or polyacrilamide gels. Recently, a SnaPshot minisequencing assay based on ddNTPs single base extension of unlabelled primers immediately adjacent to the polymorphic site was set up; this provided the association of each individual to one of the nine major west European haplogroups. In addition, the SnaPshot method was used to type 7 SNPs allowing sub-typing of haplogroup H, the most common lineage in the European population (about 50%).
In this study we analysed 197 individuals from North-Central Italy (Turin, Pavia, Modena and Florence) by sequencing the hypervariable regions HVI/II. MtDNA haplogroups were then scored by RFLP typing. Haplogroup H was shared by 88 individuals (44,7%), in agreement with the distribution found in other European population samples. The SnaPshot minisequencing multiplex reaction set up by Quintans (FSI, 2004) was then used to sub-characterise the Italian haplogroup H samples. Seven H sub-haplogroups were found with the following frequencies: H*=47%, H1=28%, H2=4.5%, H3=4.5%, H4=3.4%, H5=8%, H6=3.4% and H 7=1.2%. Data on Italian H sub-haplogroups was then compared with the one calculated for the Spanish (Galician) population sample analysed by Quintans and a statistical significant difference (P<.0022) was found in the distribution of the frequencies, probably reflecting a different population history. On the opposite, the 28 (14%) identical rCRS HVSI Italian samples showed the same distribution of H sub-haplogroups, if compared with the Spanish ones. These results confirm the utility of this SnaPshot minisequencing assay to increase the discrimination power of HVSI/II sequencing analysis. In fact, the most frequent Italian mtDNA haplotype (CRS,263G, 315.1C), shared by 8 individuals belonging to the same haplogroup H, was discriminated by the SNPs analysis and subdivided in three H sub-types (H*=3, H1= 4, H4= 1). The SnaPshot approach can be used as a rapid screening method before sequencing, especially if many forensic or reference samples have to be analysed.            contact: previde@unipv.it

P-111
Austrian Caucasian population data of 15 STR loci complementing forensic core markers: A highly discriminating set for paternity and kinship analysis

Grubwieser P, Zimmermann B, Niederstätter H, Pavlic M, Steinlechner M, Parson W

Institute of Legal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria


We investigated 15 polymorphic STR loci (D1S1656, D7S1517, D8S306, D8S639, D9S304, D10S2325, D11S488, D12S391, D14S608, D16S3253, D17S976, D18S1270, D19S253, D20S161, D21S1437) which are not included in the standard sets of forensic loci (ISSOL, CODIS). The loci were selected according to the complexity of the polymorphic region: Seven of the 15 investigated loci showed a simple repeat structure (D9S304, D10S2325, D14S608, D16S3253, D18S1270, D19S253, D21S1437), three loci (D7S1517, D12S391, D20S161) consisted of compound repeat units and 5 loci (D1S1656, D8S306 , D8S639, D11S488, D17S976) showed a more complex polymorphic region partly including different repeat blocks and incomplete repeat units, which resulted in a relatively high portion of intermediate alleles. A population study on a sample of 270 unrelated persons from Austria was carried out. We did not observe significant deviation from Hardy – Weinberg expectations. The combined PE for the 15 loci was 0.99999998. In combination with the traditional set of STR markers included in commercially available kits (no linkage was observed between these 15 loci and the PowerplexTM 16 System loci) these markers approved as highly discriminating forensic tool, also suitable for the analysis of difficult paternity and kinship constellations.




P-112
Genetic analysis of autosomal and Y-specific STRs in the Karimojong population from Uganda

Gusmão L1, Sánchez-Diz P2, Gomes I1,2, Alves C1, Carracedo A2, Prata MJ1,3, Amorim A1,3

1 IPATIMUP, Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
2Unidad de Genética Forense, Instituto de Medicina Legal, Univ. de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
3Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Portugal.

The Karimojong are eastern Nilotic pastoral people of northeastern Uganda. They are the largest of a cluster of culturally and historically related peoples, including the Jie, Teso, Dodoth, and Labwor of Uganda and the Turkana of neighbouring Kenya. They speak an Eastern Nilotic language of the Nilo-Saharan language family. Many years ago, a number of groups of people referred to as the Nilotes migrated from near the Nile valley in southern Sudan and Ethiopia toward the south and west. Some of those groups took a south-westerly route, passing through the region that is now Kenya, and they ultimately settled on the high, dry plateau which is the Karamoja of today. The Nilotes are spread in a region that corresponds to the fringe of Bantu migration route, and apparently were not touched by the Bantu influence, keeping a Nilo-Saharan language and maintaining a pastoral lifestyle. However, they still remain almost genetically uncharacterized.
In this work, 90 individuals living in Karamoja region were typed for 17 autosomal STRs (CSF1PO, D2S1338, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, FGA, TH01, TPO, VWA, Penta D and Penta E) and 40 males were also typed for 12 Y-STRs (DYS19, DYS385, DYS389I and II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439).
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested for each autosomal locus and no deviations from equilibrium were observed. The only P value below 0.05 was found for CSF1PO (P=0.01236±0.00017) but, if Bonferroni correction is used, the departure observed at this locus is not significant.
For autosomal STRs, our sample shows a combined matching probability of 1 in 6.5x1019 individuals and a combined power of exclusion of 0.999999988. Haplotype diversity for Y-STRs was 0.9859 and 32 different haplotypes were detected out of the 40 samples analysed.
Our sample was compared with available autosomal data from sub-Saharan African samples and significant differences were found with Mozambique in 8 out of 17 loci; Cabinda (Angola) in 5 out of 17 loci; Equatorial Guinea in 4 out of 17 loci; and with Rwanda in one out of 13 loci. Comparisons with the Y-STR data, revealed large genetic distances between the Uganda and Mozambique, Cabinda and Equatorial Guinea (Rst=0.168, Rst=0.195 and Rst=0.183, respectively).
The present work confirms the high genetic heterogeneity between African populations and, therefore, emphasizes the importance of using local forensic databases, for both autosomal and Y-specific STRs. 

P-113
A new legal basis and communication platform for the Swiss DNA database

Haas C1, Voegeli P1, Hess M2, Kratzer A1, Bär W1

1Institute of Legal Medicine, Forensic Genetics, University of Zurich, Switzerland
2Federal Office of Police, Bern, Switzerland


The Swiss federal DNA profile information system (EDNA) has been launched in July 2000 for a test-period of 4 years. Based on the "EDNA-Verordnung" DNA-profiles of persons who are suspected of having committed a crime according to the Swiss crime catalogue and DNA-profiles of stains from unknown perpetrators were entered into the database. At the end of 2004 the Swiss DNA database contained 53'400 profiles from suspects and 8'554 profiles from stains.

Since 1. January 2005 a new legal basis for the Swiss DNA database is operational (DNA-Profil-Gesetz, DNA-Profil-Verordnung). New criteria for entering a profile into the database were established, no longer based on a crime catalogue. The following DNA-profiles are newly entered into the database: suspects for crimes or delicts, convicted offenders, dead persons, stains, not identified persons, missing persons, relatives of dead or missing persons. Profiles of persons are removed from the database on the basis of the new law.

At the same time the administrative process - from the investigating police unit, to the DNA laboratory, to the database, to the federal police and back to the investigating police unit - has been improved. A new internet-based information system (message handler) was implemented, which allows faster processing and status information.

Contact: haco@irm.unizh.ch 

P-114
The AMOVA Analysis of Pakistani Population Y STR Genetic Data

Hadi. S1 & Goodwin, W. H.2

1,2 Department of Forensic& Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK


Pakistan is a large country with a diverse population of 140 million consisting of four significant population groups besides many smaller isolated populations.  Male population samples were collected from indigenous populations and the extracted DNA was used to amplify Y STRs.  The haplotypes were developed for each population and the results of the AMOVA analysis of the data will be discussed in this paper.  There were striking results for these populations which even with smaller number of loci when analysed led to historically relevant results.   The data shows that the populations are quite diverse as opposed to the popular belief that cousin and other close relative marriages lead to high degree of inbreeding in these populations.  The results also show that even with smaller number of loci significant amount of genetic and phylogenetic information can be gained from the data.  AMOVA analysis of the population data revealed significant correlations between the population groups and also showed the effects of particular loci on the genetic diversity and ultimately the discrimination power in each population.  Results show that Y STRs can be an effective tool to study micro geography.  The paper also discusses autosomal & Y STRs in a rare Kalash population.  Kalash live in the northwest of Pakistan.  The genealogical history of both is quite unknown and subject to mythical reports.  The data we present shows for the first time that at least the Kalash population is closely related to other Pakistani populations.  The history of Kalash suggested that there would be significant amount of inbreeding and the Y data has shown that in quite a strong way in at least one of the Kalash groups, though similar results could not be detected when autosomal STRs were studied in this population.


P-115
DNA and the Innocence Project: Three separate 17 year-old rape cases from Georgia, similar circumstances, different outcomes.

Hampikian, G

Department of Biology, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

Three men in Georgia appealed to the Innocence Project for help to overturn their convictions.  These separate cases had much in common: the convicted men were all African Americans from Georgia, they had each served 17 years, each claimed innocence, and the physical evidence remaining form their trials included smears obtained from the victims which were stored at room temperature. 
  The author has co-written a book with one of the men, Calvin Johnson (Exit to Freedom, Univ. of Georgia Press, 2003), and was part of the team that investigated the DNA evidence the other two cases: Clarence Harrison and Joseph Lee Brown.   Johnson’s case was handled by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck of the New York Innocence Project, and resulted in the first DNA exoneration in Georgia.  However, it took several years to locate the evidence, secure permission to test, and finally obtain a conclusive profile.  Finally, DQ alpha testing excluded him at several loci in 1999.  The Calvin Johnson exoneration led directly to the Georgia DNA Evidence law, and the formation of the Georgia Innocence Project (GAIP). The new law requires the preservation of potential DNA evidence for 10 years, or until a death sentence is executed.  
Joe Brown was the first GAIP case, and the first convicted offender to go to court requesting DNA testing under the new law.  After two rounds of STR typing, the partial profile from the smear was consistent with Brown, and his case was dropped by the GAIP (2004).  Clarence Harrison, the second GAIP case to request testing from the court, resulted in a complete DNA profile from the 17 year-old slide which exonerated Brown, freeing him within weeks of the test (2004).  The District Attorney in the Brown case, with collaboration from the victim who still lives in the area, has pledged to investigate the case and submit the profile to the CODIS database. 



P-116

Semi-automatic preparation of biological database samples for STR and SNP typing.


Hansen AJ, Simonsen BT, Børsting C, Hallenberg C, Morling N

Department of Forensic Genetics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Application of laboratory automation systems (LAS) for preparation of forensic crime-case and database samples is necessary to support the increasing demand for fast, reliable and cheap forensic genetic analysis. The LAS needs to guarantee a high level of security of sample identity and chain of custody. Here, we present a validated (ISO 17025) laboratory semi-automated system for STR and SNP analyses of biological material immobilized on FTA-cards.
The described LAS encompass registration of samples in a LIMS database, export of a sample-file to a puncher, punching of FTA-cards by a BSD600-duet puncher, electronic sample check by means of barcodes, wash of punches by the THEONYX liquid-handler from MWG, PCR-amplification and electrophoresis of amplicons. The system was tested using blood and saliva immobilized on FTA-cards as sources of biological material.
The designed LAS led to:
¾    Correct STR and SNP typing of individuals with a quality equal to or higher than the profiles produced using chelex-extracted DNA.
¾    A reduction in the rate of sample-reanalyses by 0.03.
¾    A reduced risk of mix-up of samples during the laboratory procedure.
¾    Fewer sample transfers.
¾    A reduction in the number of PCR-cycles by 4 compared to chelex-extracted DNA from blood.
During the validation process, we did not observe mix-up of samples, loss of FTA-card punches, contamination from extern sources, or cross-contamination between samples.



P-117
STR typing of 77-year-old umbilical cord in maternity test

Hara M1, Kido A2, Yamamoto Y1, 3, Takada A1, Saito K1

 1Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical School, Saitama, Japan
2Department of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
3Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Saitama Prefectual Police Headquarters, Saitama, Japan


In Japanese it is customary to preserve umbilical cord, which is presented to parents from maternity clinic, as a sacred materials. The umbilical cord is sometimes available for parentage test and personal identification because it has been preserved for a long time. We performed a maternity test using DNA extracted from an umbilical cord preserved for 77 years. The 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci included in the AmpFLSTR Identifiler Kit were used for DNA analysis. DNA was extracted from the umbilical cord of the putative mother (already deceased) by ISOHAIR (Nippongene) and from the buccal swab of the child who requested the examination, by the DNA Extractor FM Kit (Wako). Using the AmpFLSTR Identifiler Kit (Applied Biosystems), the 15 STR loci, D8S1178, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA, as well as amelogenin locus were analyzed. For the amplification of the umbilical cord, PCR conditions were modified as followed; denaturation at 94ºC for 1 min, annealing at 59ºC for 5 min and extension at 72ºC for 5 min (40 cycles) using 3% primer. Amplified products were separated by denaturing capillary electrophoresis in the ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems). The results were analyzed by GeneScan Analysis 3.7 software (Applied Biosystems) and Genotyper 3.7 software (Applied Biosystems). The 15 STR loci and the amelogenin locus were determined from the umbilical cord. A contradiction in the mother and child relationship was not observed in the 15 STR loci. This means that the 15 STR loci were correctly typed from the 77-year-old umbilical cord. The maternity probability was 0.999937 and the exclusion probability was 0.999629. Preserved umbilical cord are available for parentage test and personal identification using STR typing.

haramasa@saitama-med.ac.jp


P-118
The Effects of Cleaning Agents on the DNA Analysis of Blood Stains Deposited on Different Substrates

Harris KA, Thacker CR, Ballard D, Syndercombe Court D

Centre for Haematology, ICMS, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK

Potential evidential material at a crime scene is often adulterated. Deliberate attempts to remove biological material (using a variety of cleaning agents) is a problem faced by forensic scientists routinely. The substrates on which the blood is supported can also have an inhibitory role. It has been shown that complete DNA profiles can be obtained from non-visible quantities of blood. Lemire et al (1) reported successful analysis of 100ml of a dried 1:2560 dilution of blood.  Sourcing such small quantities of blood at a crime scene is aided by the sensitivity of the Kastle-Meyer presumptive blood test.   
Blood samples were obtained from 6 unrelated donors and standardised using white cell count. Blood was applied to a number of different substrates:  denim jeans; cotton shirts and carpet.  The stains were allowed to dry and were then cleaned with chlorinated bleach, soap or disinfectant until there was no visible trace.  Chelex 100 (Sigma) was used to extract DNA from the cleaned areas. PCR was performed at 28 and, if necessary, 34 cycles using the AmpFLSTRâ SGM Plusä PCR Amplification kit (Applied Biosystems). In excess of 250 profiles were examined and characterised using heterozygote imbalance (Hbx), split peak frequency (SPF) and stutter proportion (SP). This information was used to assess the clarity of the electropherograms and the ability to relate evidence and control suspect samples, over a period of 15 days.
It was found that chlorinated bleach had the most pronounced negative effects with respect to the characteristics considered. In particular Hbx increased significantly over the 15 day trial. Such a change has the potential of incorrectly confirming or negating a relationship between evidential and suspect material. The SPF and SP satisfied the allelic designation guidelines set out by Gill et al (2) for STR multiplex systems in successful amplifications.  Although dark coloured fabric dyes are anecdotally considered to interfere with DNA amplification, in these tests Khaki fabric (55% cotton, 45% polyester) was found to be the most inhibitive of the materials examined. This may be related to the effect of different chemical agents used in the manufacture of this material.

(1) Lemire CE, Bieber F. Forensic aspects of trace human blood evidence: from presumptive test to STR profile. URL: http://www.promega.com/geneticidproc/ussympllproc/abstracts/lemire.pdf
 (2) Gill P, Sparkes R. Development of guidelines to designate alleles using an STR multiplex system. Forensic Science International (1997); 89: 185-197
Address for Correspondence:Catherine R Thacker
Centre for Haematology- Institute of Cell and Molecular Science
Barts and The London
Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry
4 Newark Street-London E1 2AT
United Kingdom
E-mail: c.r.thacker@qmul.ac.uk     

P-119
An Investigation in to the Genetic Structure of a Barbadian Population

Harris KA, Thacker CR, Ballard D, Harrison C, Musgrave-Brown E, Syndercombe Court D

Centre for Haematology, ICMS, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK
The male-specific inheritance of the Y chromosome and the maternal passage of mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) allow the genetic features of a population to be investigated.  In this study a total of 81 blood stains were characterized using twenty-nine Y-chromosome specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and MtDNA.  The ABI PRISM® SNaPshot™ Multiplex System (Applied Biosystems) was used to genotype the Y-SNPs and enabled the paternal characteristics of the population to be assessed.  Sequencing of the control region of the mitochondrial DNA loop was carried out using the BigDye® Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems).  Haplogroup frequencies and genetic diversity values were calculated and compared to a less well defined UK-resident Afro-Caribbean population.  It was found that the Barbados population studied was similar to other populations of African ancestry and it is proposed that further characterization may be possible using population specific SNPs.  Historically, Ghana and Nigeria supplied Barbados with black labour during periods of slavery and it may be useful to first target these ancestral populations when attempting to further define the genetic features of Barbados.
We would like to acknowledge advice given by Juan J Sanchez (Department of Forensic Genetics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark) and Maria Brion (Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain) with regard to the Y SNPs used in this study.  This part of the study was completed as part of the SNPforID project. 
We would like to thank the Forensic Sciences Centre, Barbados for their help in the collection and supply of samples.

Address for Correspondence:
Catherine R Thacker
Centre for Haematology
Institute of Cell and Molecular Science
Barts and The London
Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry
4 Newark Street
London E1 2AT
United Kingdom

P-120
A Sensitive Issue: Pyrosequencing as a Valuable Forensic SNP Typing Platform

Harrison C1, Musgrave-Brown E1, Bender K2, Carracedo A3, Morling N4, Schneider P2, Syndercombe-Court D1, The SNPforID Consortium

1 Centre for Haematology, ICMS, Barts and The London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK
2 Institute of Legal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
3 Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
4 Department of Forensic Genetics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark


Analysing minute amounts of DNA is a routine challenge in forensics often accompanied by a variety of obstacles resulting in difficulties with analysis.  To minimize these events it is important to choose technological platforms with specific criteria in mind.  With so many typing technologies available for genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the selection of a suitable platform to meet forensic requirements can be difficult; particularly when questioning the sensitivity of an instrument and its ability to optimize detection and the amount of information obtained from forensic samples. 

Here we investigate the Pyrosequencing (Biotage) method for genotyping SNPs.   The Pyrosequencing method offers intrinsic quantifying capabilities and uniform electropherogram peak heights making it an ideal platform for sensitivity analysis.  Using normalised concentrations of DNA and testing five autosomal SNPs, varied amounts of genomic DNA were added to the PCR with the resulting products compared on the two available instrument models: the PSQTM 96MA and PSQTM HS 96A systems.  In doing so, a detailed comparison of the two models was completed while establishing a lower limit of detection on both instruments to give results supporting the use of Pyrosequencing as a valuable forensic SNP typing platform.

Address for correspondence:
Cheryl Harrison, Department of Haematology, Institute of Cell and Molecular Sciences, Barts and The London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT

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