SM Journal of Forensic Research and Criminology

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Forensic DNA Typing From Demineralized Human Bone Sections

Historically, protocols for genetic analyses in postmortem human bone shave included sample pulverization. There are only a few studies that describe protocols without a pulverization step. We sought to validate the DNA extraction of previously demineralized bone sections through a protocol that does not involve pulverization of the sample. We analyzed 16 bone samples from 16 unidentified human bodies exposed to the tropical climate. We performed organic DNA extraction, real time PCR quantitation, amplification of STRs using a commercial kit and capillary electrophoresis on the samples. Results showed that it was possible to extract DNA in a concentration above 35ng/µL (median=0.052), generating 50% of full genetic profiles. For the first time in the forensic science field the demineralization of large bone fragments is described as a pre-treatment step. The volume of reagents utilized during extraction is drastically reduced when compared to a total demineralization protocol, while maintaining good quality genotyping.

Heitor SD Corrêa¹*, Fernanda T Carvalho², Maria Cândida NC Brito³, Elisângela S de O’Dantas⁴, Diniz P Leite Júnior⁵⁻⁷ and Flávia GS Silva⁸