[Analysis of genetic diversity of Russian regional populations based on common STR markers used in DNA identification].

We conducted the first genetic analysis of a wide a range of rural Russian populations in European Russia with a panel of common DNA markers commonly used in criminalistics genetic identification. We examined a total of 647 samples from indigenous ethnic Russian populations in Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov, Ryazan, and Orel regions. We employed a multiplex genotyping kit, COrDIS Plus, to genotype Short Tandem Repeat (STR) loci, which included the genetic marker panel officially recommended for DNA identification in the Russian Federation, the United States, and the European Union. In the course of our study, we created a database of allelic frequencies, examined the distribution of alleles and genotypes in seven rural Russian populations, and defined the genetic relationships between these populations. We found that, although multidimensional analysis indicated a difference between the Northern gene pool and the rest of the Russian European populations, a pairwise comparison using 19 STR markers among all populations did not reveal significant differences. This is in concordance with previous studies, which examined up to 12 STR markers of urban Russian populations. Therefore, the database of allelic frequencies created in this study can be applied for forensic examinations and DNA identification among the ethnic Russian population over European Russia. We also noted a decrease in the levels of heterozygosity in the northern Russian population compared to ethnic populations in southern and central Russia, which is consistent with trends identified previously using classical gene markers and analysis of mitochondrial DNA.

[An unusual case of investigation into the child's disputable descent complicated by manifestation of a rare genomic mutation (disomy)].

This investigation was carried out in the framework of a criminal case concerning substitution of a newborn infant. The subjects involved in the case were the child and its putative mother. Solution of the problem required typing two hypervariable mitochondrial DNA markers and 82 chromosomal markers. Moreover, we had to depart from the current norms according to which parentage can be excluded if two loci of the child contain alleles absent in the reputed parent. The present examination was complicated by the manifestation of a rare genomic mutation (unipaternal disomy) that necessitated extensive studies and taking non-trivial decisions. Details of this unusual case are highlighted and difficulties encountered in the course of investigation discussed to promote future analyses of chromosomal DNA mutations in parental gametes that hamper unambiguous interpretation of results of forensic examination.

[Combined use of molecular genetic technologies to identify the Russian citizens died during tsunami in Thailand].

Main stages, methodological aspects and practical results of molecular genetic research to identify the citizens of Russia died during tsunami in Thailand are considered.

[Strategy of multiplex analysis of STR-loci polymorphism of Y-chromosome on the basis of "minimal haplotype"].

A molecular-genetic analysis of Y chromosome is a convenient tool of paternal affinity determination. This method is now widely introduced in expert practice. Previous experience in typing of Y chromosome is outlined. Strategy of development and experience in operating a multiplex system for a simultaneous analysis of seven STR loci of Y chromosome is discussed.

[Analysis of genetic diversity of the mitochondrial DNA in the forensic medical expert identification of individuals]. / Analiz geneticheskogo raznoobraziia mitikhondrial'noi DNK v aspekte sudebno-ékspertnoi identifikatsii lichnosti.

Spectra of haplotype frequencies were studied for locuses of hypervariable segments 1 and 2 (HVS1 and HVS2), separately for each, and for linked segment HVS1-HVS2. The obtained data were used to determine the values and to evaluate comparatively the discriminating characteristics of the corresponding individualizing systems based on the typing of mtDNA. The system of typing, based on HVS2 (mv = 0.098), was found to possess the least discriminating potential; while the highest information rate is ensured in the analysis of HVS1 (m omega = 0.02) and in the joint analysis of HVS1 and HVS2 (mw = 0.007). The frequency rates of the key haplogroups were estimated within a random sampling of Russian citizens. A random population sampling of Russian citizens was shown not to differ essentially from an ethnically homogeneous population sampling of Russians selected with regard for a genetic diversity and for a spectrum of mitochondrial lines. The results point at the most rational algorithm of examinations in a forensic expert's analysis of mtDNA. The studied sampling can trigger the development of a referential data base designed for conducting, in the Russian Federation, the forensic-medical expert's examinations based on the mtDNA typing.

[Possible differentiation of mitotypes in mixed biological subjects based on phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA]. / O vozmozhnosti differentsirovaniia mitotipov v smeshannykh biologicheskikh ob''ektakh na osnove filogeneticheskogo analiza mitokhondrial'noi DNK.

A possibility was investigated to use the phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial (mt) DNA to differentiate between the mito-types in mixed subjects in forensic medical examinations. The suggested methodological approach is based on the use of electrophoregram and on the comparison of such data with the information about phylogenic individual (mt) DNA lines.

[Mitochondrial DNA typing--a new level for solving identification problems in forensic medical expert identification of unidentified remains of victims of terrorist acts in Moscow and the armed conflict in the Chechen Republic]. / Tipirovanie mitokhondrial'noi DNK--novyi uroven' resheniia identifikatsionnykh zadach pri sudebno-medintsinskoi ékspertize neopoznannykh ostankov zhertv terroristicheskikh aktov v Moskve i vooruzhennogo konflikta v Chechenskoi Respublike.

Two large-scale episodes described in this paper reflect the first in Russia use of molecular genetic matrilinear markers (analysis of polymorphism of sequences of amplified fragments of mitochondrial DNA hypervariable locuses) in solution of a complex identification problem: forensic medical identification of unidentified fragments of victims of explosions of houses in Moscow in September, 1999, and of soldiers dead in the war conflict in the Chechen Republic in 1994-1996. The results of this work and methodological experience gained in it essentially extend the potentialities of expert studies as regards forensic medical identification of victims of large scale disasters, terroristic acts, and war conflicts.