Polymerase chain reaction-based DNA analysis for gender identification of antemortem and postmortem human skin

Gender identification is an important investigative tool as it can be used to assess rapid information in forensic cases involving missing persons, intersex problems, mass disaster and in crime scenes. The aim of the present work was to assess the reliability of the skin as a tissue sample whether fresh or putrified for gender determination and to validate an application of gene print sex determination system. Forty skin samples were used [15 obtained from cadavers, and 25 from discarded surgically resected skin]. DNA extraction was done using two methods [crude and column] with two different kits, [Puregene cell, tissue kit and GFX purification kit]. Amplification of the single copy X-Y homologous amelogenin gene using PCR technology was followed. The results showed that DNA extracted by the column method was of high quality with no gross contaminants as compared to the crude method. The success rate of the amelogenin amplification was 100% in all skin samples [antemortem and postmortem]. It enabled gender identification from as low as 100 mg skin sample with low cost and less complicated technique. In conclusion the amelogenin gene sex determination system is a highly discriminating and reliable method and skin can be used as a good source for DNA extraction used for identification purposes

Cardiac effects of lead

Twenty-three male manual workers who are in direct exposure to lead were interviewed and examined clinically and by noninvasive techniques to find out the effect of lead on the cardiovascular system, in comparison to another group of control. The blood lead levels were significantly higher in the workers than in the control. 26.067% of workers suffered from hypertension. ECG findings showed no significant differences between the exposed workers and the controls. Flat T wave was encountered among two workers and raised S-T segment was found once, indicating myocardial disorders. Q-T interval showed the highest abnormal frequency of intervals. The heart rate and the P- R interval, though significantly higher in the exposed workers than the controls, yet they were within normal range. There were no ECG findings suggestive of infarction in workers complaining of chest pain. There was no significant correlation between blood lead levels and cardiac effects. No significant correlation was found between the duration of exposure and measured ECG parameters. The echocardiographic measurements showed no significant differences between workers and controls

Scanning electron microscopy of finger and footprints

A simple new technique was used to visualize finger- and footprints in living persons by scanning electron microscopy superficial epidermal scrapings were removed by razor blade tangential cutting. The samples were then dried in an incubator at 37C and processed for scanning electron microscopy. Normal and burnt samples were examined. In normal samples the morphology of the ridges and grooves as well as sweat pores was evidently preserved. In burnt samples characteristic new changes such as eruptions or bullae, drumstick structures and sodium chloride crystals were seen. The technique could be used for identification purposes and for the study and diagnosis of diseases or syndromes which may produce characteristic changes in the print morphology