Forensic Deoxyribonucleic Acid Research Articles

Why Down-managing Backlog Forensic DNA Case Entries Matters

Forensic laboratories face a backlog of case files, affecting service delivery, causing delays. Forensic laboratories face a backlog of case ϐiles, affecting service delivery and causing delays. The backlog points to underfunding, poor planning, and inadequate support, hindering deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis. Resolving casework backlogs may initially seem like a straightforward and attainable measure to improve the arrest of offenders and promote justice. Longer turnaround times impede investigative leads, emphasising the need for efficient strategies and a comprehensive approach to address and prevent backlogs in forensic laboratories. No study has been published on the forensic DNA backlogs in South Africa. The article explicitly addresses one aspect of a Doctor of Philosophy study and aims to ascertain the impact of backlogs of forensic DNA case entries. The study article’s research questions included the following: “What cases are considered as backlog?”; “What is the current backlog in forensic DNA case entries in South Africa?” and “What are the main reasons for the backlog of cases involving forensic DNA?” The prompt processing of DNA evidence is vital not only for safeguarding individuals falsely accused of crimes based on circumstantial evidence but also for adding prosecutors and providing justice for crime victims.

Forensic DNA database and criminal investigation in the Sahel region, a need to update the National Security Policy?

Abstract Ongoing terrorist attacks in the Sahel region call for strengthening the security system by using human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification technology. In this context, public opinion must be considered when establishing solid standards and universal safeguards for one of the most invasive forms of surveillance and profiling. For this purpose, we gathered Internet users’ opinions in Burkina Faso (BF, a country located in the Sahel region) on the use of DNA technology to support criminal investigations. The results revealed that 91.7% (431) of the 470 participants believed that this technology is currently necessary for the BF’s criminal justice system. However, the respondents expressed concerns about the custody and management of a national forensic DNA database (NFDD). In this particular security setting, the public opinion of this study may provide leaders and political policymakers with clues for considering genetic fingerprints and implementing an NFDD to support criminal investigations in BF while also considering the ethical implications.

QR code technology in individual identification training provides an introduction in hands-on forensic DNA genotyping to medical students

BackgroundForensic biology is a subject in the field of forensic science that stresses practical teaching and training in laboratory skills. Visualization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiles is important in individual identification and is easily performed by well-trained examiners. Therefore, developing a novel training project for obtaining individual DNA profiles can improve the quality of teaching for medical students or trainees. DNA profiles based on quick response (QR) codes can also be applied to practical teaching and operation training for individual identification.MethodsA novel training project was developed through an experimental course in forensic biology. Blood samples and buccal swabs with oral epithelial cells, as used in the forensic DNA laboratory, were obtained from medical students at Fujian Medical University. DNA was isolated, and a number of short tandem repeat (STR) loci were used as genetic markers to generate DNA profiles. The students converted DNA profiles and individual information into a QR code. The QR code could then be scanned by a mobile phone for consulting and retrieval. Gene identity cards with QR codes were produced and provided to every student. The participation rate and passing rate of students who participated in the novel training project were calculated and compared with those of students in the traditional experimental course, and a chi-square test was carried out by SPSS 23.0 software to evaluate the teaching effectiveness. p < 0.05 indicated significant differences. In addition, a survey was conducted to investigate the likelihood of using of gene identity cards with QR codes in the future.ResultsA total of 54 of 91 medical students who studied forensic biology participated in the novel training project in 2021. Only 31 of 78 students who studied forensic biology participated in the traditional experimental course in 2020. The participation rate in the novel training project was 24% higher than that of the traditional experimental course. The participants in the novel training project showed better performance in forensic biological handling techniques. The passing rate of the students in the forensic biology course with the novel training project was approximately 17% higher than that of the students in the former course. The participation rates and passing rates of the two groups were significantly different (χ = 6.452, p = 0.008 and χ = 11.043, p = 0.001). In the novel training project, all participants made 54 gene identity cards with QR codes. Furthermore, in the DNA profiles of four African students who participated, we found two rare alleles that were not discovered in Asians. The survey showed that the use of gene identity cards with QR codes was accepted by most participants, and the likelihood of future utilization was 78%.ConclusionWe established a novel training project to promote the learning activities of medical students in experimental forensic biology courses. The participants showed great interest in using gene identity cards with QR codes to store general individual identity information and DNA profiles. They also examined the genetic population differences between different races based on DNA profiles. Hence, the novel training project could be useful for training workshops, forensic experimental courses, and medical big data research.

DNA Fingerprinting: Use of Autosomal Short Tandem Repeats in Forensic DNA Typing.

Short tandem repeat (STR) markers for autosomal STR are used in forensic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) typing to track down the missing, verify family connections, and potentially connect suspects to crime sites. It is well acknowledged that forensically relevant genetic markers cannot predict phenotype. There is no evidence to support the claim that directly using forensic STR variations causes or indicates illness. Such an example would have significant ethical and permissible repercussions. It is essential to check the necessity to alert a blood donor or if a medical problem is identified during routine sample analysis. In this study, we assess the likelihood that forensic STRs might offer details beyond those required for primary identification. However, as the role of non-coding STRs in gene regulation is understood, the probability of discovering meaningful links is rising. For this review, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Search were all used to conduct a thorough electronic literature search. If they linked to the topic, thoughts, retrospective studies, observational studies, and first publications were considered. The case studies presented here highlight the critical role forensic DNA typing plays in reducing criminal risk and delivering conclusive evidence in cases. The primary method for forensic DNA typing is short tandem repeat (STR) typing. This discussion on the importance of STR markers to the criminal justice system is part of the present study. As unflinching proof of false beliefs and invaluable connections to the genuine culprits, DNA typing offers proof that may be utilised to prosecute and punish criminals. It may even deter certain offenders from committing more terrible offences. Additionally, forensic experts have used DNA typing techniques to re-examine ancient cases previously closed due to a lack of evidence.

Assessment of public awareness and willingness for establishment/storage of DNA profile in a national DNA database in Nigeria

One prominent aspect of forensic deoxyribonucleic acid testing is the establishment and expansion of centralized national forensic DNA databases and body of evidence have continued to emerge, demonstrating the extensive efficiency and effectiveness of the DNA database in assisting criminal investigation globally. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine public awareness on Forensic DNA Database and the willingness for storage of DNA profiles. The design used in this study is the survey research design and the sample size of this study was a total number of five hundred University of Benin students drawn from our population for empirical investigation. The study adopted descriptive statistics which involves the use of frequency and percentage. The result of this study revealed that majority of the respondent demonstrated an adequate level of awareness and knowledge (71.2%), showed good knowledge on the function of a national forensic DNA database (54.4%), demonstrated increased level of awareness and knowledge on the benefit of a national forensic DNA database (44.8%), and revealed that 422 (84.4%) were willing for the storage of their profiles in the national forensic DNA database.The study also observed that a vast proportion of the respondents indicated that fear of violation of individual’s privacy was the only barrier they considered for the storage of DNA profiles in the National Database and our observations provides a good a basis for reviewing and implementing policies that find a reasonable balance based on the creation of moral and ethical spectrum involving professionals in the area of forensics, law enforcement and the public, in particular, social groups which are less involved in genetics.

Overview of Forensic DNA Profiling and Database

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling, has had a tremendous impact on forensic genetics. Before DNA profiling, all forensic genetic casework (e.g., Paternity testing, criminal casework, individual identification) was performed using classical serological genetic markers. Blood groups, human leukocyte antigen (HLA), and polymorphic protein and enzymes were used for solving forensic genetic casework using immunological and electrophoretic methodologies. These genetic markers were nevertheless limited when it was necessary to analyze minimal or degraded material, which is commonly involved in forensic cases. An STR is a region of human DNA containing an array of tandem repeats. Arrays range from only a 10 to about a hundred repeated units. This essay confers the basic concepts of operating of DNA in the criminal investigation. This review primarily summarizes the major tandem repeat markers used in forensic DNA profiling, that assist criminal’s conviction, exonerate the inferring individuals, and recognize victims of violence, catastrophes, and armed conflict.

The Effectiveness of Mini Primer STR CODIS in DNA Degradation as the Effect of High-Temperature Exposure

Background More and more today, forensic identification through deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) examination has achieved greater recognition in supporting Indonesia's law enforcement. Such examination is to determine the origin of a child, paternity cases, genealogical relation, or identifying unknown crime victims. However, along with the development of this DNA material examination, problems arise. DNA undergoes a degradation, commonly known as degraded DNA, which is one of the serious issues frequently encountered by forensic and DNA experts. Some forensic DNA experts take one of the alternatives to overcome this issue by implementing a mini primer set that is through a method to reduce the size of STR assays on DNA core locus examination. Methods In this study, the writers conduct research using the mini primers of CSF1PO, FGA, and D21S11 of the molar teeth exposed to 500°C temperature for 20 and 30 minutes and 750°C for the same amount of time.Result The findings show the DNA contents of molar teeth significantly (p < 0.05) decreased as the effect of high-temperature exposure. PCR result visualization shows CSF1PO is the only locus detected with mini primer exposed to 750°C temperature for 30 minutes (the highest exposure during this research). Conclusions This finding suggests that this locus is potential in examining identification through DNA analysis, especially on a degraded condition as the effect of high-temperature exposure. Besides, this could accelerate the identification process especially on mass disaster events or criminal cases.

Forensic DNA Profiling: Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat as a Prominent Marker in Crime Investigation.

Short tandem repeat (STR) typing continues to be the primary workhorse in forensic DNA profiling. Therefore, the present review discusses the prominent role of STR marker in criminal justice system. All over the world, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling provides evidence that may be used to convict criminals, as an irrefutable proof of wrongful convictions, invaluable links to the actual perpetrators of crimes, and could also deter some offenders from committing more serious offences. Clearly, DNA profiling tools have also aided forensic scientists to re-evaluate old cases that were considered closed as a result of inadequate evidence. In carrying out this review, a comprehensive electronic literature search using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Google Search were used, and all works meeting the subject matter were considered, including reviews, retrospective studies, observational studies and original articles. Case reports presented here, further demonstrates the crucial role of forensic DNA profiling in mitigating and providing compelling evidence for the resolution of crimes. For case report 1, there was a 100% match between the DNA recovered from the items found in the crime scene, and the suspect’s DNA sample collected via buccal swab following 15 STR loci examination. Case report 2 further highlights the indispensable contribution of DNA database in solving crime. Therefore, it has become very necessary for developing countries like Nigeria to develop a national DNA database and make policies and legislatures that will further expand and enable the practice of forensic genetics, particularly DNA profiling.

The wide scope of DNA collection and retention in Malaysia

The enactment of the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Identification Act 2009 (Malaysia) which came into force on 1 September 2012 undoubtedly helped to fill gaps that previously existed in the application of DNA evidence in the criminal justice process in Malaysia. One significant contribution of the DNA Act is that it establishes a DNA databank known as Forensic DNA Databank Malaysia (FDDM). Without denying its significance, this article highlights a concern over the wide scope of DNA collection and retention as provided by the DNA Act which is wider than other jurisdictions such as the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, England and Wales.

Recent Advances in Forensic DNA Analysis

Forensic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis or DNA profiling has played a major role in the criminal justice system. New techniques and technologies for DNA profiling continue to evolve every year. This paper reviews the literature reported during January 2011 through June 2013 in the field of forensic DNA analysis. Recent advances in almost all aspects of DNA analysis – which include sample collection, storage, and pretreatment, DNA extraction, DNA quantitation, quality assurance of DNA testing, and DNA databases are discussed. New developments now enable new kinds of forensically relevant information to be extracted from limited quantities of biological samples, and offer unprecedented potential for high-throughput DNA analysis.

Extraction of Motif Patterns from Protein Sequence Using Rough- K-Means Algorithm

Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. In Bioinformatics, Motif finding is one of the most popular problems, which has many applications. It is the process of locating the meaningful patterns in the sequence of Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA), Ribo Nucleic Acid (RNA) or Proteins. Motifs vary in lengths, positions, redundancy, orientation and bases. Finding these short sequences (motifs or signals) is a fundamental problem in molecular biology and computer science with important applications such as knowledge-based drug design, forensic DNA analysis, and agricultural biotechnology. In this work, the clustering system is used to predict local protein sequence Motifs. Since clustering algorithms can provide an automatic, unsupervised discovery process for sequence motifs, the K-Means clustering algorithm and Rough-K-means algorithm proposed are chosen as the motif discovery method for this study and the results are compared. The structural similarity of the clusters discovered by the proposed approach is studied to analyze how the recurring patterns correlate with its structure. Also, some biochemical references are included in our evaluation.

Recent advances in the application of CE to forensic sciences: A update over years 2007–2009

This article reviews and comments the applications of CE to forensic sciences covering the short period from 2007 until the first months of 2009, being the latest update of two previous review papers covering the years from 2001 to 2004 and from 2005 to 2007. The overview includes the most relevant examples of analytical applications of capillary electrophoretic and electrokinetic techniques in the following fields: (i) illicit and abused drugs, (ii) small ions of forensic interest (iii) proteins and peptides, (iv) forensic deoxyribonucleic acid, (v) dyes and inks. As many as 69 references are quoted.

Genotyping of DNA samples under adverse conditions of Low Copy Number—LCN (formolisados tissue samples and embedded in paraffin)

This paper aims to describe and evaluate a protocol for extraction of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in formalinized tissues and embedded in paraffin for forensics genetic analysis. In outline the method is the removal of paraffin with an organic solvent in 0.3–0.5 mg of the sample of the tissue under study, followed by removal of formaldehyde, rehydration and soon after the extraction of genomic DNA. The extraction is achieved through the stages of cellular lysis, enzymatic digestion of proteins and DNA precipitation in ethanol medium. With the research we can conclude that even when the DNA is present in small quantities in conditions of extreme difficulties in its extraction, as formalinized tissues and embedded in paraffin, the technique of optimizing the extraction of DNA used both to organic extraction as Chelex, for use in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and possible the investigation of different samples of human tissue, biological samples, or was obtained under the conditions tested, a DNA with good quality and concentration. The samples were amplified for the mini-STRs loci using the product marketed in multilocus, using a methodology recommended by the supplier and validated for analysis of forensic DNA. Commercial kit was used MiniFiler from Applied Biosystems. The DNA fragments amplified by PCR showed that the extracted DNA had good amplification.

Effects of Processing Techniques on the Forensic DNA Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains

Human remains processed by forensic anthropologists may potentially be used for genetic analysis. Therefore, the condition of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in processed remains may become an issue for future analysis. Processing techniques employed by anthropologists are highly variable and scanning electron microscopy reveals significant alterations to the bone surface depending upon the technique used. Such damage to the bone indicates differences may exist in quality and quantity of DNA extracted. This study assessed how five processing procedures used by major forensic anthropology laboratories around the country affects the amounts of DNA extracted from human rib bones and the subsequent DNA analysis. The DNA was analyzed using the short tandem repeat (STR) locus CSF1PO and amelogenin. The findings indicate processing procedures used by forensic anthropologists do not adversely affect DNA analysis but prolonged exposure to heat during processing may decrease the yield of information from the DNA.

The Effects of DNA Evidence on Sexual Offence Cases in Court

Introduction: This study aims to assess how forensic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence assists decision-makers in sexual offence cases, in decisions to prosecute, decisions to plead guilty and how it assists juries and judges in decisions of guilt or innocence. Its association with custodial penalties is also examined. The primary method relied on was an archival study of case records. This involved comparing the characteristics of criminal case records from two different categories, those that were referred to the forensic laboratory, and for which a scientist provided a sworn court statement that associated the defendant with either the complainant or the crime scene, and similar cases for which no DNA evidence was presented in court. The differences that DNA evidence made, if any, were then assessed by comparing the characteristics of the DNA group cases to the control group at the various decision-making stages, while allowing for the other evidentiary and extra-legal factors that influenced case outcomes.

Interpreting Forensic DNA Mixtures: Allowing for Uncertainty in Population Substructure and Dependence

Summary We consider the assessment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiles from biological samples containing a mixture of DNA from more than one person. The problem has been investigated in the context of likelihood ratios by Weir and co-workers under the assumption of independent alleles in DNA profiles. However, uncertainty about independence may arise from various factors such as population substructure and relatedness. This issue has received considerable attention in recent years. Ignoring this uncertainty may seriously overstate the strength of the evidence and therefore disadvantage innocent suspects. Taking this uncertainty into account, we develop a general formula for calculating the match probabilities of DNA profiles. Thus, we extend the result derived by Weir and co-workers to the dependence situation, which is often more to the benefit of the defendant in comparison with the simple product rule result based on an independence assumption. The effect of dependence of alleles on likelihood ratio estimates can be seen in the analysis of two real data sets.

Juries and Crime Labs: Correcting the Weak Links in the DNA Chain

After a decade of courtroom battles and heated academic debate, the United States has entered an age where the scientific validity of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence is not subject to serious dispute. The problem with DNA evidence is no longer one of validity, but one of proficiency. Two confounding variables in the DNA testing process weaken and often destroy DNA's powerfulness and usefulness in the courtroom: crime labs and juries.This Note proposes new and stringent standards for the admissibility of DNA evidence. The admissibility of forensic DNA evidence must be conditioned on its examination by a crime lab governed by uniform national standards. Such governing national standards must encompass every aspect of the forensic process, from chain of custody to DNA testing procedures, in order to ensure the reliability of DNA evidence. Implementing such a comprehensive national standard, however, only represents a first step toward solving the problem of DNA evidence in the courtroom. This step, however, fails to address the second problem facing the effective use of DNA in courtrooms: juries.

Measuring the Strength of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Evidence, and Probabilities of Strong Implicating Evidence

Summary Likelihood ratios measure the strength of forensic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence supporting the hypothesis that a given suspect is the source of a matching sample, versus the alternative that someone else is the source. One component of the DNA evidence consists of samples from the scene of the crime and from the suspect. Another consists of samples from a reference population. Treating each of these components as being generated by random (probabilistic) processes, and measuring the evidence by likelihood ratios, we examine the probability of obtaining strong implicating evidence when the given suspect is indeed the source of the crime scene sample and when someone else is the source. (In the latter case, the evidence is misleading.) The distinction between the strength of the evidence and the improbability of its occurrence is critical, as is the importance of conditioning on the particular circumstances of a given case to ensure the relevance of the calculated probability of misleading evidence.

The Development of DNA Profiling Database in an HAE III Based RFLP System for Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles were obtained for blood specimens from the three population groups--Chinese, Malays and Indians--in Singapore. The population databases were collected from Hae III digested high molecular weight DNA hybridized with four variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) loci--D2S44, D10S28, D4S139 and D1S7. The data were analyzed statistically using the fixed bin system. Comparison of ratio of bin frequencies of these population data with published data on whites, blacks, and hispanics shows that the alleleic distribution at these loci is not seriously different among the six groups. This has important implications to the statistical significance of forensic DNA applications.

Report of the Blind Trial of the Cetus AmpliType HLA DQα Forensic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Amplification and Typing Kit

The AmpliType HLA DQ alpha forensic DNA amplification and typing kit is designed for the qualitative analysis of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQ alpha alleles present in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from forensic samples. The AmpliType kit is the first forensic DNA typing product based on the GeneAmp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process. The kit was evaluated by five forensic science laboratories (test sites) to assess their ability to perform DNA typing using PCR on sample types typically encountered by forensic laboratories. None of the DNA-containing samples was mistyped. Of the 180 DNA-containing samples analyzed, results were reported for 178 (98.9%). Of the 178 samples with results, all were correctly typed. Two sites did not report a result for one sample each. Four of the five laboratories experienced no significant levels of contamination in the DNA-containing samples. At the one site with the highest number of DNA-containing samples with contamination, the typing results were not compromised. This site was able to correct the contamination problem through simple procedural changes and stricter attention to sterile technique. Blank controls were important to monitor contamination. In conclusion, the trial demonstrated that forensic science laboratories are capable of setting up a PCR-based DNA typing laboratory and successfully using the AmpliType HLA DQ alpha forensic DNA amplification and typing kit to analyze forensic samples.