Journal Published Online: 01 September 1993
Volume 38, Issue 5

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) Typing from Semen Stains: Low Enzyme Activity in Vaginal Fluids Does Not Interfere with Seminal DNase I Typing from Mixture Stains

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

We describe the use of deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) polymorphism for individualization of semen in body fluid stain mixtures, as a means of providing new and more useful information to practicing forensic biologists as a genetic marker. We have already reported that human DNase I isozyme patterns from different subjects are classificable into ten groups. Isoelectric focusing of DNase I isozymes on polyacrylamide gel (IEF-PAGE, pH 3.5 to 5) was accomplished using a 0.5 mm thick gel. Pretreatment of semen samples with neuraminidase enhanced the isozyme band resolution and sensitivity. Activity detection using the dried agarose film overlay (DAFO) procedure was reliable, sensitive and simple, with high resolution, and the phenotypes of DNase I were determined in semen stains of about 0.3 µL stored at room temperature for up to a year in most of the samples tested. The DNase I types in semen stains were correlated with the types found in the corresponding blood and urine samples, although most of the vaginal fluid samples had no typable DNase I activity. This is considerably advantageous for seminal individualization from body fluid mixture stains in criminal cases. An evaluation of DNase I typing by IEF-PAGE and DAFO was also performed on casework samples submitted to our laboratory, and the results showed that DNase I was expected to be one of the most useful individualization marker of semen in practical application.

Author Information

Sawazaki, K
Scientific Investigation Laboratory, Fukui Prefectural Police Headquarters, Fukui, Japan
Yasuda, T
Fukui Medical School, Fukui, Japan
Nadano, D
Fukui Medical School, Fukui, Japan
Iida, R
Fukui Medical School, Fukui, Japan
Takeshita, H
Fukui Medical School, Fukui, Japan
Uchide, K
School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
Kishi, K
Fukui Medical School, Fukui, Japan
Pages: 12
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS13507J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13507J