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Mitchell MR, Chaseling J, Jones L, White T, Bernie A, Haupt LM, Griffiths LR, Wright KM. Improving the strategy to identify historical military remains: a literature review and Y-STR meta-analysis. Forensic Sci Res 2024; 9:owad050. [PMID: 38562552 PMCID: PMC10982847 DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of historical military remains by Unrecovered War Casualties-Army (UWC-A) currently relies on Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (Y-STR) testing when maternal relatives are not available, or when a mitochondrial DNA match does not provide sufficient certainty of identification. However, common Y-STR profiles (using Yfiler™) between sets of remains or families often prevent identification. To resolve these cases, an investigation of additional Y-DNA markers is needed for their potential inclusion into the DNA identification strategy. The number of genetic transmissions between missing soldiers and their living relatives needs to be considered to avoid false exclusions between paternal relatives. Analysis of 236 World War I/II (WWI/II) era pairs of relatives identified up to seven genetic transmissions between WWII soldiers and their living relatives, and nine for WWI. Previous Y-STR meta-analyses were published approximately 10 years ago when rapidly mutating markers were relatively new. This paper reports a contemporary literature review and meta-analysis of 35 studies (which includes 23 studies not previously used in meta-analysis) and 23 commonly used Y-STR's mutation rates to inform the inclusion of additional loci to UWC-A's DNA identification strategy. Meta-analysis found mutation data for a given Y-STR locus could be pooled between studies and that the mutation rates were significantly different between some loci (at P < 0.05). Based on this meta-analysis, we have identified two additional markers from PowerPlex® Y23 for potential inclusion in UWC-A's identification strategy. Further avenues for potential experimental exploration are discussed. Key points From 236 UWC-A pairs of relatives, we observed up to nine genetic transmissions between WWI soldiers and their living relatives, and seven for WWII.MedCalc® software for meta-analysis utilizing the Freeman-Tukey transformation was run, which analysed 35 published studies and 23 commonly used loci. Previous Y-STR mutation rate meta-analyses are now 10 years old; this paper includes 23 studies that were not included in previous meta-analyses.Through meta-analysis, we identify two markers from PowerPlex® Y23 for potential inclusion in UWC-A's historical remains identification strategy (alongside Yfiler™). We discuss potential next steps for experimental exploration of additional Y-DNA markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda R Mitchell
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Janet Chaseling
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lee Jones
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Research Methods Group, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Toni White
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Defence Innovation Hub, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Bernie
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Russell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Larisa M Haupt
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lyn R Griffiths
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kirsty M Wright
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Russell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), No 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia
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Ghaiyed AP, Sutherland H, Lea RA, Gardam T, Chaseling J, James K, Bernie A, Haupt LM, Christie J, Griffiths LR, Wright KM. Evaluation of an ancestry prediction strategy for historical military remains using a World War II-era sample and pedigrees with family-level admixture. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.2005144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. P. Ghaiyed
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - H. Sutherland
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - R. A. Lea
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - T. Gardam
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - J. Chaseling
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - K. James
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - A. Bernie
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Canberra, Australia
| | - L. M. Haupt
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - J. Christie
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - L. R. Griffiths
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - K. M. Wright
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Canberra, Australia
- Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Williamtown, Australia
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MacGregor DM, Lain R, Bernie A, Cooper A, Dawe T, Donlon D, Fitzmaurice T, Kelly G, Heiman S, Lowe A, Manns B, Matic A, Mitchell N, Oakley D, Tutty M, White T, Williams G, Willis A, Wright K, Wu YH, Oxenham MF. "Lest we forget": An overview of Australia's response to the recovery and identification of unrecovered historic military remains. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 328:111042. [PMID: 34638089 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is responsible for the recovery and identification of its historic casualties. With over 30,000 still unrecovered from past conflicts including World War One (WW1) and World War Two (WWII), the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force have teams that research, recover, identify and oversee the burial (or reburial) of the remains of soldiers and airmen who continue to be found each year. The Royal Australian Navy is also responsible for its unrecovered casualties. Collectively the priorities of the various services within the ADF are the respectful recovery and treatment of the dead, thorough forensic identification efforts, resolution for families and honouring the ADF's proud history of service and sacrifice. What is unique about the approach of the ADF is that the respective services retain responsibility for their historic losses, while a joint approach is taken on policies and in the utilisation of the pool of forensic specialists. Section One describes the process undertaken by the Australian Army in the recovery, identification and burial or repatriation of soldiers through its specialised unit Unrecovered War Casualties - Army (UWC-A). Section Two describes the role of the Royal Australian Air Force in the recovery of aircraft and service personnel through their specialised unit Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force (HUWC-AF). An overview of the operations of each service and case studies is presented for each section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna M MacGregor
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Forensic Services Group, Queensland Police Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith Sciences, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Russell Lain
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Sydney Dental Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Bernie
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Alan Cooper
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Tim Dawe
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Denise Donlon
- History and Heritage Branch, Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force, Canberra, ACT, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Grant Kelly
- History and Heritage Branch, Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Scott Heiman
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Anthony Lowe
- History and Heritage Branch, Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Brian Manns
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ashley Matic
- History and Heritage Branch, Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Natasha Mitchell
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Forensic Science South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Dermot Oakley
- 3rd Health Support Battalion, Australian Army, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Police Airwing, Victorian Police Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Malcolm Tutty
- History and Heritage Branch, Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Toni White
- Toni White, Toni White Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gregory Williams
- History and Heritage Branch, Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Anna Willis
- College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Kirsty Wright
- History and Heritage Branch, Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - Air Force, Canberra, ACT, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Yuan-Heng Wu
- Unrecovered War Casualties - Army, Australian Army, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Marc F Oxenham
- School of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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Ghaiyed AP, Chaseling J, Lea RA, Bernie A, Haupt LM, Griffiths LR, Wright KM. Development of an accurate genomic ancestry prediction strategy to enable the accounting of Australian and Japanese historical military remains. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2020.1853233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. P. Ghaiyed
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - J. Chaseling
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - R. A. Lea
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - A. Bernie
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Canberra, Australia
| | - L. M. Haupt
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - L. R. Griffiths
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - K. M. Wright
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Canberra, Australia
- Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, Williamtown, Australia
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Connell JR, Ghaiyed AP, Chaseling J, Mellick GD, Bernie A, Brownlie JC, Wright KM. Establishing historical sample data is essential for identification of unaccounted Australian soldiers from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1623320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R. Connell
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew P. Ghaiyed
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Janet Chaseling
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - George D. Mellick
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Bernie
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Russell, Australian Capital Territory
| | - Jeremy C. Brownlie
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kirsty M. Wright
- Unrecovered War Casualties-Army, Australian Defence Force, Russell Offices, Russell, Australian Capital Territory
- Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Science, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
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