Journal Published Online: 05 May 2004
Volume 49, Issue 4

A Simple and Efficient Method for Extracting DNA From Old and Burned Bone

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

It has been a challenge to extract DNA from bones previously soaked in water, burned, or buried for a long time, due to the reduced quality and quantity of DNA in the bone samples. The dramatic degradation of the DNA and the presence of PCR inhibitors in the collagen significantly complicate the process of DNA identification in dated and charred bones. In this article, we present a novel strategy to obtain DNA from bones based on the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) lysis buffer and isoamyl alcohol-chloroform extraction with subsequent DNA purification using the DNA IQ™ System, or alternatively the QIAquick™ system. When applied to bones soaked, burned or buried for up to nine years, this method increases the purity and yield of DNA with respect to the traditional phenol-chloroform method and significantly improves multiplex STR genotyping using fluorescence-based methods. The results of this research will assist forensic scientists in the identification of DNA from victims whose bodies underwent significant trauma or burning, prec luding the utilization of traditional forensic DNA identification techniques.

Author Information

Ye, J
Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
Ji, A
Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
Parra, EJ
University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Zheng, X
Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
Jiang, C
Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
Zhao, X
Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
Hu, L
Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
Tu, Z
Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS2003275
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003275