ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 3

Gender Identification of Human Hair Using Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization
Prahlow, JA

Cox-Jones, K
Molecular cytogenetic technologist, Section on Medical Genetics, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, NC

Pettenati, MJ
Assistant and associate professors, Directors of the Cytogenetic and Molecular Cytogenetic Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Section on Medical Genetics, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, NC

Lantz, PE
J.A.P., South Western Institute for Forensic Sciences, TX

Nagesh Rao, P
Assistant and associate professors, Directors of the Cytogenetic and Molecular Cytogenetic Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Section on Medical Genetics, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, NC

(Received 11 December 1995; accepted 18 March 1996)

Abstract

Identification of the gender of hair represents relevant medicolegal evidence in criminal cases. The efficacy of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) using chromosome X and Y centromeric probes was tested to determine its ability to identify correctly the gender of hair. In this preliminary study, FISH correctly identified the gender of cells from hair as old as 26 days. The technique is accurate, rapid, sensitive, easily performed, and readily available. As a forensic laboratory technique, FISH shows great promise.

Keywords:
forensic science, gender determination, DNA, fluorescence in situ hybridization, hair, sex chromosomes, X chromosome, Y chromosome

Paper ID: JFS14044J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14044J
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