ABSTRACT
An investigation was performed with the aim of assessing the success rate of the examination of penile swabs or imprints for the detection of the female DNA profile. Two hundred twenty seven cases from a 3-year period were retrospectively reviewed. In 57% of the cases, no suitable material was available. Of the remaining 97 cases, 26 provided a DNA profile from the female victim. It is concluded that although the total success rate is low, it is worthwhile performing the examination, especially if there is a short interval between the alleged sexual assault and the examination.
Subject(s)
DNA/isolation & purification , Penis/cytology , Rape , Sex Determination Analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anal Canal/cytology , Child , Child, Preschool , Coloring Agents , Crime Victims , Female , Forensic Medicine/methods , Humans , Iodides , Male , Middle Aged , Mouth/cytology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Vagina/cytologyABSTRACT
PCR amplification of DNA from forensic samples often proves difficult due to the presence of inhibitors of the polymerase chain reaction. One possible way to remove PCR inhibitors from a DNA extract is the use of the affinity resin thiopropyl sepharose 6B (TS), which has been used previously for the removal of PCR inhibitors in DNA extracts originating from stains on clothing. Here we show that TS is efficient also for the removal of inhibitors from PCR extracts from a highly decomposed human thigh bone. TS treatment, however, leads to a substantial loss of DNA making the technique best suited when substantial amounts of DNA are present.
