Human identification and analysis of DNA in bones

A introdução das técnicas de biologia molecular, ou seja a análise de DNA para identificação humana é um avanço recente na Medicina Legal. A identificação de cadáveres e restos humanos faz-se necessária após guerras, distúrbios sócio-políticos e desastres de massa. Além desses casos, devido à dinâmica social das grandes metrópoles, existem pessoas desaparecidas e por outro lado, cadáveres e restos humanos sem identificação são encontrados. Nos últimos anos, também tem ocorrido um aumento nas solicitações para coleta de material biológico de restos humanos exumados e destinados à determinação de vínculo genético em processos civis. Os autores realizam uma extensa revisão da literatura sobre a utilização dessas novas metodologias em ossos, antigos ou recentes, para a identificação humana.

Post-mortem forensic identity testing: application of PCR to the identification of fire victim

CONTEXT: DNA analysis has been used with success in the identification of carbonized corpses and victims of large accidents. The analysis requires relatives of crash victims to donate blood for analysis. The relatives are generally willing contribute to the identification by giving a blood sample. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genetic characterization of one victim extensively burned by fire. DESIGN: Case report. CASE REPORT: DNA was extracted from blood of the cardiac chamber, and 15 different loci (D1S80, ApoB, D17S30, D3S1744, D18S849, D12S1090, FGA, D7S820, D1S533, D9S304, HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, HUMTHO1, amelogenin and HLA-DQA1) were analyzed using the PCR technique. Results from all loci typing of the corpse were then compared to that of his alleged biological parents, revealing a genetic compatibility.

A critical appraisal of the value of vaginal acid phosphatase determination for the estimation of post-coital time

A careful literature review of the use of vaginal fluid acid phosphatase levels as a means to estimate post-coital time disclosed several inconsistencies. In this study, acid phosphatase levels were determined in vaginal fluid samples obtained from 200 women whose post-coital time was known. No statistical significance (at 5% probability levels) was found when vaginal acid phosphatase levels were correlated with post-coital time