Identification of an exhumed corpse by DNA extraction from bulb swab. A disputed parentage case report

Genotyping procedures from post-mortem remains, including those that had undergone putrefaction, are generally performed for human identification, after a mass disaster or in parentage disputes involving deceased people. The environmental conditions accelerate the decomposition of human remains and, in these situations, human hard tissues such as bones and teeth represent the most common DNA sources [1 –4]. Some authors suggest to use femur shafts and teeth, since cortical bone and dental tissue with the calcium matrix, unlike spongy bone, provide protection to DNA from post mortem degradation, guaranteeing a good yield of adequate quality DNA and, consequently Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA prof iles befitting for identification purposes [5].

Source: Science and Justice - October 20, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Anna Rocchi, Silvano Presciuttini, Enrica Chiti, Simone Pierotti, Isabella Spinetti Tags: Case review Source Type: research