NCJ Number
239325
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2012 Pages: 375-380
Date Published
May 2012
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study focused upon characterising changes in the material properties of bone that has been compromised by controlled heat treatments.
Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from skeletal tissue can be invaluable in genetic profiling applications, as it is often the only source available. Like all forensic samples, skeletal tissue may have been exposed to a variety of environmental insults, including heat. This study has focused upon characterizing changes in the material properties of bone that has been compromised by controlled heat treatments. These changes were then examined in relation to the subsequent success or failure of nuclear DNA (nDNA) amplification, using a range of differently sized amplicons, relevant to alternate profiling strategies. The results presented demonstrate that the ability to amplify nDNA correlates well with particular changes in mineral and organic content of bone. As such, we propose the application of a 'diagnostic triage tool' that can be performed quickly and at low cost on individual bone samples, in order to determine whether nDNA analysis is likely to be a viable option. (Published Abstract)