Development of a BK Virus DNA Chip for Geographical Identification of Unidentified Cadavers

A novel method for ABO genotyping using a DNA chip

ABO genotyping is often performed to identify the blood type of decomposed samples, which is difficult to be determined by a serological test. In this study, we developed a simple method for ABO genotyping using a DNA chip. In this method, polymerase chain reaction-amplified and fluorescent-labeled fragments in the ABO gene and primate-specific D17Z1 were hybridized with DNA probes on a chip designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ABO gene and part of the D17Z1 sequence. Using blood samples from 42 volunteers and 10 animal species, we investigated whether the chip could be used to detect SNPs in the ABO gene and the D17Z1 sequence. This method was then applied to various forensic samples, and it was confirmed that this method was suitable for the simultaneous analyses of ABO genotyping and species identification. This method fulfills the recent need for the development of rapid and convenient methods for criminal investigations.

Geographical identification of cadavers by human parasites

Increasing numbers of unidentified cadavers have recently become an important forensic problem in many countries. To identify such cadavers, DNA typing method is widely used. However, as this technique requires reference DNA samples, a method that would quickly narrow down possible candidates for the cadavers is needed to enable rapid identification. Unfortunately, no really reliable methods suitable for this purpose have been available; however, methods using the human parasites, JC virus, BK virus and EB virus, have been reported. These new methods narrow down the candidates by elucidating geographic origins. Though not detectable in all cases, results using such methods with several parasites have enabled us to estimate geographic origins of unidentified cadavers with a high detection rate.