ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 11

Purification of Forensic Specimens for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Analysis
Akane, A
Forensic Scientist, professor and associate professor, Shimane Medical University,

Nakamura, H
Research scientists, Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Shimane Prefectural Police Headquarters,

Shiono, H
Forensic Scientist, professor and associate professor, Shimane Medical University,

Matsubara, K
Forensic Scientist, professor and associate professor, Shimane Medical University,

Hasegawa, M
Research scientists, Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Shimane Prefectural Police Headquarters,

Kagawa, M
Research scientists, Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Shimane Prefectural Police Headquarters,

(Received 27 June 1992; accepted 28 August 1992)

Abstract

Purification methods of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from degraded and contaminated forensic samples were investigated for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. DNA extracted from putrefied tissue or bloodstains sometimes contained the copurified contaminant, that was identified as the porphyrin compound (hematin). When contaminated but less degraded DNA was analyzed by PCR, it was necessary to eliminate the impurity by anion exchange column chromatography or chelating resin preparation, and ultrafiltration using Centricon microconcentrators. When highly degraded DNA was analyzed, trace amounts of high molecular weight DNA was recovered by electroelution method, and then further purified by both column chromatography and ultrafiltration. From thus purified samples, the amelogenin gene for sex determination could be amplified by dual PCR technique.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), postmortem degradation, amelogenin gene, porphyrin compound

Paper ID: JFS13457J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13457J
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