Identification of disaster victims involves comparing ante mortem data available with their postmortem reports. When ante mortem data are unavailable, DNA profiling becomes the sole and reliable method for identification.[1] The dental pulp provides a rich source of DNA.[2] Identifying the deceased is important not just for the family but also fulfills legal requests.[3] The main objectives of DNA profiling[4] include:
- Identifying victims
- Associating body parts
- Identifying criminals.
Historic Review
In 1985, Jeffreys et al.[5] used radioactive probes to identify mini satellites (highly variable regions of DNA) to define the pattern of the individual. These hyper-variable loci have tandem repeat of nucleotide sequences. According to their size, they are named as variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) or mini satellites having 9–80 base pairs or short tandem repeats (STRs) or microsatellites having 2–7 base pairs. This discovery led to the use of DNA analysis in forensics for identifying human remains and solving disputed parentage issues.[6]
Saiki et al. introduced polymerase chain reaction (PCR)[7] which was later mechanized by Mullis and Faloona.[8] It involves amplification of interested sequences from even very little quantities of DNA available.
In 1991, Schwartz et al., under variable environmental conditions isolated high molecular weight DNA from dental pulp.[9]
Genomic dot blot hybridization was performed for identifying sex by Pötsch et al. in 1992.[10] In his study, he obtained a total genomic DNA from a dental sample, which, ranged between 6 μg and 50 μg.
Sweet and Sweet in 1995[11] identified a human remain from DNA that was extracted from an un-erupted, preserved third molar.
Tsuchimochi, et al., in 2002[12] extracted pulpal DNA by incinerating extracted teeth at temperatures of 100°C, 200°C, 300°C, 400°C and 500°C for 2 min to conduct PCR analysis on them. No PCR product was produced for samples that were incinerated above 400°C whereas samples incinerated for up to 300°C could be amplified. The DNA was extracted using Chelex 100 chelating resin.
Malaver and Yunis in 2003 found in their study that the pulp produced the strongest PCR amplification signal when compared to dentin and cementum.[13]
da Silva in 2004 subjected teeth to heat (200°C, 400°C, 500°C and 600°C) and used different methods to extract DNA (organic, isopropanol, silica) and concluded that at higher temperatures, isopropanol extraction method produced excellent results for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extraction.[14]
Li et al. in 2006 showed that analysis of DNA using microarray technology was used for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, in identifying the individual and for paternity testing.[15]
Next generation genome sequencing (NGS) permits analysis of several hundred loci or even the entire genome – Tucker et al. 2009; Li et al. 2009; Harismendy et al. 2009; Pareek et al. 2011.[14161718]
Principle for DNA Fingerprinting
The gene that codes for a particular protein contributes for only 2–5% of DNA while the remaining 95% are the junk or noncoding DNA. This junk DNA may be present as a single copy of spacer DNA or as multiple copies called repetitive DNA. The repetitive sequence exists as long or STRs. The variations in the mini satellite pattern that is detected by a probe along with stable inheritance forms the basis for DNA fingerprinting.[19]
DNA-types
- Genomic DNA – Teeth provide a good source of genomic DNA.[20] They are within the nucleus of the cell.
- Mitochondrial DNA – Used when DNA sample obtained is insufficient or degraded.[11]
Stages in DNA extraction
- Cell membrane rupture
- Denaturation of proteins using chelating agents and inactivation using proteinases
- DNA extraction.
Most commonly DNA is extracted by organic method (phenol) or by Chelex 100 (Bio Rad Laboratories, Inc), FTA paper (Whatman Inc, Clifton, NJ) or isopropyl alcohol.[21]
Methods of Running a DNA Fingerprint
DNA profiling or fingerprinting reveals the genetic makeup of a person. Teeth provide an excellent source of DNA as they remain virtually unaffected by environmental assaults. Proper DNA isolation and quantification are needed to perform a successful analysis.
The various ways of running a DNA fingerprint are as follows:
Restriction fragment length polymorphism method
After the evidence is collected from the crime scene, DNA is isolated. Using a special enzyme (restriction endonuclease) that acts as molecular scissors, DNA is cut into fragments at sites that are not found within the tandem repeat sequence. The chopped fragments have VNTR of varying lengths.[22] Gel electrophoresis is done to separate the cut fragments based on their size. A Southern Blot (transferring the fragments to a nitrocellulose filter) is then performed, and a radioactive probe is used to analyze the DNA. Restriction fragment length polymorphism detects the repeated sequences by defining a specific pattern to the VNTR, which forms the DNA fingerprint of a person.
Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) requires large quantities of DNA and requires long waiting time to obtain results.[23]
Polymerase chain reaction
The available DNA is amplified to carry out the analysis using a special enzyme and DNA primers, which are explicit for human DNA, and the results remain unaffected even if bacterial DNA is present in the sample. The principle of PCR is the ability of DNA to replicate itself. When the strands of DNA unwind during duplication, the primer is employed to amplify specific segments. In a couple of hours, DNA is amplified to about 109 times the original amount and the reaction runs through 30 cycles.[24] Amplicons are the products of amplification, which are then detached by electrophoresis. PCR is used for evaluating VNTR, particularly the frequencies of STR loci.
To determine the quantity of male or female DNA in a mixed sample, as in sexual assault cases, real-time PCR or quantitative PCR was developed.
Short tandem repeat typing
It is a frequently and routinely used marker in forensics. STRs have a high power of individual discernment because of their high standards of polymorphic informative content. The nonoverlapping size of the alleles from different contributors serves to distinguish them. Currently, they are detected by fluorescent detection methods using capillary or gel electrophoresis and even by ABI gel-based DNA sequencers while earlier works on detection involved silver-stained polyacrylamide gels. Used in paternity testing as each individual has some STRs inherited from father and some from the mother.[25] They are hyper-variable regions that show repetitions of fragments having 2–7 base pairs.[26]
It helps in identifying victims of mass calamities from even old remains.[27] To serve as the standard for the combined DNA index systems (CODIS), federal bureau of investigation has chosen 13 definite STR loci[28] which are together referred to as CODIS markers and the sex identifying amelogenin marker. Various commercial kits are available that amplify the 13 core loci and amelogenin.
Analysis of mitochondrial DNA
When the sample cells lack nucleus, DNA is extracted from mitochondrion. Silva and Passos in 2002 stated that mtDNA analysis can be used for ancient tissues like bone, hair and teeth, where analysis of nuclear DNA cannot be done.[29] High molecular weight mtDNA are obtained from teeth, especially in degraded remains.[30]
Every child has the same mtDNA as its mother because mitochondrion of the embryo is from the mother's egg while genomic DNA is from father's sperm. It is thus a valuable tool in identifying missing persons by comparing mtDNA of unidentified remains with that of a possible maternal relative.[31]
The technique is expensive as it is performed by direct sequencing of nitrogenous bases and provides only limited information as it is primarily matrilineal.
Analysis of Y chromosome
It involves targeting of the polymorphic regions of the Y chromosome (Y – STR) using primers. As Y chromosome is passed to the son from his father, analysis of markers on the chromosome helps in sketching relationships among males.[32]
Single nucleotide polymorphism
They are variations that occur when a nucleotide sequence is altered. E.g.: An SNP may change the nucleotide sequence AAGGCTAA to ATGGCTAA.[33]
Provides valuable information on descent, sex, evolution and is highly automated.[34] Their advantage is that they can identify highly degraded DNA fragments.
The Recent Technologies in Genetic Identification
Microarray techniques
The nucleic acids of the target are hybridized to high-density microarrays containing several thousand oligonucleotides immobilized on chips or beads.[35] Many commercial platforms are available for SNP analysis. E.g.; Illumina and affymetrix. DNA analysis using this technology is used in forensic testing foe sequencing and resequencing, paternity testing, SNP genotyping and identification of the individual.[15]
Next generation genome sequencing
Next generation genome sequencing permits analysis of several hundred loci or even the entire genome by producing enormously parallel sequencing.[14161718] Amplification or cloning of the sequenced DNA fragments is automated and provided with a reading process.
Next generation genome sequencing platforms available are Illumina genome analyzer, Roche 454 genome sequencer and ABI Sequencing by Oligonucleotide Ligation and Detection. NGS permits analysis of copy number variants (CNVs) and structural rearrangements.
Next generation genome sequencing can be used for both genome and transcriptome analysis. In genome analysis, it permits the high-quality variant calling for SNPs, insertions and deletions, and allows the analysis of CNVs and other structural rearrangements.
Conclusion
DNA fingerprinting is getting bigger and more universally accepted with time. Since no one can alter their DNA sequence after leaving it at the crime scene and because it is hard to prevent leaving one's DNA at the crime scene, DNA analysis is arguably the greatest forensic tool used in forensics. Of the three main kinds of DNA fingerprints, RFLP, VNTR and STR, the most commonly used is the STR.
Restriction fragment length polymorphism and VNTR require a lot of DNA, which is usually very difficult to find at the forensic scene and often the DNA fragments being analyzed are too long to amplify via PCR. STR, on the other hand, uses short sections of DNA, which are ideal for running a PCR. There is an exponential increase of the volume of DNA, thus making it easier to run tests on small samples of DNA. Additionally, STR analysis does not require the hybridization to a DNA probe, which would have been time-consuming. Forensics has taken a large step using DNA to solve crimes, which were unsolvable in the past. As DNA is individualized, it is extremely rare that the DNA will match more than one person on this planet. This has allowed DNA evidence to be accepted in the court room.
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Source of Support: Nil
Conflict of Interest: None declared.
