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Panneerchelvam S, Norazmi MN. DNA Profiling in Human Identification: From Past to Present. Malays J Med Sci 2023; 30:5-21. [PMID: 38239252 PMCID: PMC10793127 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.6.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Forensic DNA typing has been widely accepted in the courts all over the world. This is because DNA profiling is a very powerful tool to identify individuals on the basis of their unique genetic makeup. DNA evidence is capable of not only identifying the presence of specific biospecimens in a crime scene, but it is also used to exonerate suspects who are innocent of a crime. Technological advancements in DNA profiling, including the development of validated kits and statistical methods have made this tool to be more precise in forensic investigations. Therefore, validated combined DNA index system (CODIS) short tandem repeats (STRs) kits which require very small amount of DNA, coupled with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the statistical strengths are used routinely to identify human remains, establish paternity or to match suspected crime scene biospecimens. The road to modern DNA profiling has been long, and it has taken scientists decades of work and fine tuning to develop highly accurate testing and analyses that are used today. This review will discuss the various DNA polymorphisms and their utility in human identity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohd Nor Norazmi
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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Gomes I, Pinto N, Antão-Sousa S, Gomes V, Gusmão L, Amorim A. Twenty Years Later: A Comprehensive Review of the X Chromosome Use in Forensic Genetics. Front Genet 2020; 11:926. [PMID: 33093840 PMCID: PMC7527635 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique structure of the X chromosome shaped by evolution has led to the present gender-specific genetic differences, which are not shared by its counterpart, the Y chromosome, and neither by the autosomes. In males, recombination between the X and Y chromosomes is limited to the pseudoautosomal regions, PAR1 and PAR2; therefore, in males, the X chromosome is (almost) entirely transmitted to female offspring. On the other hand, the X chromosome is present in females with two copies that recombine along the whole chromosome during female meiosis and that is transmitted to both female and male descendants. These transmission characteristics, besides the obvious clinical impact (sex chromosome aneuploidies are extremely frequent), make the X chromosome an irreplaceable genetic tool for population genetic-based studies as well as for kinship and forensic investigations. In the early 2000s, the number of publications using X-chromosomal polymorphisms in forensic and population genetic applications increased steadily. However, nearly 20 years later, we observe a conspicuous decrease in the rate of these publications. In light of this observation, the main aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the advances and applications of X-chromosomal markers in population and forensic genetics over the last two decades. The foremost relevant topics are addressed as: (i) developments concerning the number and types of markers available, with special emphasis on short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms (STR nomenclatures and practical concerns); (ii) overview of worldwide population (frequency) data; (iii) the use of X-chromosomal markers in (complex) kinship testing and the forensic statistical evaluation of evidence; (iv) segregation and mutation studies; and (v) current weaknesses and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Gomes
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Nádia Pinto
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.,Center of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Antão-Sousa
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,DNA Diagnostic Laboratory (LDD), State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Verónica Gomes
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Leonor Gusmão
- DNA Diagnostic Laboratory (LDD), State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - António Amorim
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
Experience gained in clinical genetics led to the fundamental idea of using X-chromosomal markers in a wide range of forensic applications. To date more than 30 STRs have been established as forensic markers. Joint typing of very tightly linked STRs yields stable haplotypes, and can be used for establishing the relationship between distant relatives, such as aunt-niece pairs and cousins. For such applications the new ChrX typing kit Argus X-8 which is commercially available now is a powerful tool. This paper is aimed at presenting a brief survey of historical developments and discussing present and future aspects of forensic X-chomosomal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Szibor
- Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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