Molecular forensics

Molecular Forensics offers a comprehensive coverage of the increasingly important role that molecular analysis plays within forensic science. Starting with a broad introduction of modern forensic molecular technologies, the text covers key issues from the initial scenes of crime sampling to the use of evidential material in the prosecution of legal cases. The book also explores the questions raised by the growing debate on the applications of national DNA databases and the resulting challenges of developing, maintaining and curating such vast data structures. The broader range of applications to non-human cases is also discussed, as are the statistical pitfalls of using so-called unique data such as DNA profiles, and the ethical considerations of national DNA databases.

An invaluable reference for students taking courses within the Forensic and Biomedical sciences, and also useful for practitioners in the field looking for a broad overview of the subject.

Provides a comprehensive overview of modern forensic molecular technologies. Explores the growing debate on the applications of national DNA databases. Discusses the initial phases of investigation to the conclusion of cases involving molecular forensic analysis.

Author Notes

Dr Ralph Rapley , Department of Biosciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, r.rapley@herts.ac.uk

Dr David Whitehouse , Consultant Biotechnologist and Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London

Reviews 1

Choice Review

The development of PCR technology and the subsequent ability to amplify unique regions of degraded DNA changed the field of forensics dramatically. Molecular Forensics is an excellent resource not only for current DNA techniques used in criminal cases, but also for those techniques that are still under research and have the potential to improve evidence analysis. Although the book does not give the specific technique protocols, it does discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these molecular tools, along with providing statistical evidence. On a molecular level, it presents real-time PCR; protein markers; mitochondrial, autosomal, X, and Y chromosome analysis using short tandem repeats (STRs); and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Also covered are techniques such as laser dissection for single cell isolations and magnetic resonance spectroscopy for improving postmortem interval determinations. Readers may use the extensive reference lists to follow up specific topics. With the increased importance of human and animal DNA testing in forensics, this volume will surely be a welcome resource for advanced students and professionals in molecular genetics. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Forensics scientists interested in the latest research associated with improving DNA testing; graduate level and above. M. C. Pavao Worcester State College

Simon J. WalshRalph Rapley and David WhitehouseMarion NagyAntonio Alonso and Oscar GarciaKeiji TamakiClaus Borsting and Juan J. Sanchez and Niels MorlingReinhard SziborHirokazu Matsuda and Nobuhiro YukawaManfred KayserLuigi Saravo and Davide Di Martino and Nicola Staiti and Carlo Romano and Enrico Di Luise and Dario Piscitello and Salvatore Spitaleri and Ernesto Ginestra and Ignazio Ciuna and Fabio Quadrana and Beniamino Leo and Giuseppe Giuffre and Giovanni TuccariBenoit Leclair and Tom SchollMark A. BestMikhail Soloviev and Julian Bailes and Nina Salata and Paul FinchEva Scheurer and Michael Ith and Chris Boesch

Preface	p. ix
List of Contributors	p. xi
1 Current and Future Trends in Forensic Molecular Biology	p. 1
1.1 Introduction	p. 1
1.2 Developments within the field of forensic molecular biology	p. 2
1.3 Developments influencing law enforcement - operational impacts	p. 7
1.4 Developments influencing the justice system - socio-legal impacts	p. 10
1.5 Summary	p. 11
1.6 References	p. 12
2 Basic Tools and Techniques in Molecular Biology	p. 21
2.1 Introduction	p. 21
2.2 Isolation and separation of nucleic acids	p. 21
2.3 Automated analysis of nucleic acid fragments	p. 23
2.4 Molecular biology and bioinformatics	p. 24
2.5 The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)	p. 25
2.6 Applications of the PCR	p. 28
2.7 Nucleotide sequencing of DNA	p. 30
2.8 Conclusion	p. 34
2.9 References	p. 34
3 Automated DNA Extraction Techniques for Forensic Analysis	p. 37
3.1 Introduction	p. 37
3.2 Principal steps of DNA extraction	p. 38
3.3 DNA extraction techniques	p. 39
3.4 Modified techniques for DNA extraction from challenging forensic samples	p. 43
3.5 Automation of DNA extraction	p. 45
3.6 References	p. 56
4 Real-time Quantitative PCR in Forensic Science	p. 59
4.1 Introduction	p. 59
4.2 Current real-time PCR chemistries	p. 60
4.3 Human nuclear DNA quantification	p. 61
4.4 Human mitochondrial DNA quantification	p. 65
4.5 Detection and quantification of non-human species	p. 66
4.6 Concluding remarks and perspectives	p. 67
4.7 References	p. 67
5 Minisatellite and Microsatellite DNA Typing Analysis	p. 71
5.1 Introduction	p. 71
5.2 Minisatellites	p. 71
5.3 Microsatellites	p. 80
5.4 Acknowledgements	p. 86
5.5 References	p. 86
6 Application of SNPs in Forensic Casework	p. 91
6.1 Introduction	p. 91
6.2 Single nucleotide polymorphisms	p. 92
6.3 Single nucleotide polymorphism typing technology	p. 94
6.4 Single nucleotide polymorphisms for human identification	p. 95
6.5 Single nucleotide polymorphisms in mitochondrial DNA	p. 98
6.6 Forensic DNA phenotyping	p. 98
6.7 Ethical considerations of SNP genotyping	p. 100
6.8 References	p. 100
7 The X Chromosome in Forensic Science: Past, Present and Future	p. 103
7.1 Introduction	p. 103
7.2 History of forensic utilization of the X chromosome	p. 104
7.3 Chromosome X short tandem repeats	p. 107
7.4 Power of ChrX markers in trace analysis	p. 111
7.5 Power of ChrX markers in kinship testing	p. 111
7.6 Chromosome X marker mapping and haplotype analysis	p. 114
7.7 Chromosome X-chromosome Y homologue markers	p. 119
7.8 Chromosome X STR allele and haplotype distribution in different populations	p. 119
7.9 Ethical considerations in ChrX marker testing	p. 120
7.10 Concluding remarks	p. 121
7.11 References	p. 121
8 Mitochondrial Analysis in Forensic Science	p. 127
8.1 Introduction	p. 127
8.2 Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) biology	p. 128
8.3 Identification of individuals (mtDNA typing)	p. 132
8.4 Topics of forensic interest	p. 134
8.5 References	p. 138
9 Y-Chromosomal Markers in Forensic Genetics	p. 141
9.1 Introduction	p. 141
9.2 Identification of the male sex	p. 142
9.3 Identification of male lineages	p. 143
9.4 Identification of a male's paternity	p. 148
9.5 Identification of a male's geographical origin	p. 151
9.6 The future of Y-chromosomal markers in forensics	p. 155
9.7 Acknowledgements	p. 156
9.8 References	p. 157
10 Laser Microdissection in Forensic Science	p. 163
10.1 Introduction	p. 163
10.2 Histological, biochemical analysis	p. 166
10.3 References	p. 169
11 Laboratory Information Systems for Forensic Analysis of DNA Evidence	p. 171
11.1 Introduction	p. 171
11.2 The specifications of forensic genotyping assays	p. 173
11.3 Automated pipetting	p. 174
11.4 Analysis of STR data	p. 176
11.5 Bioinformatics	p. 178
11.6 Conclusion	p. 180
11.7 References	p. 181
12 Statistical Presentation of Forensic Data	p. 185
12.1 Introduction	p. 185
12.2 Techniques	p. 185
12.3 Laboratory issues	p. 188
12.4 Statistical analysis	p. 189
12.5 Other issues	p. 193
12.6 Special situations	p. 194
12.7 References	p. 195
13 Protein Profiling for Forensic and Biometric Applications	p. 197
13.1 Introduction	p. 197
13.2 Protein assays in molecular forensics: current status	p. 197
13.3 Novel technologies and the remaining challenges	p. 204
13.4 Protein markers for use in forensic and biometric applications	p. 208
13.5 References	p. 217
14 Application of MRS in Forensic Pathology	p. 221
14.1 Forensic, criminalistic and ethical significance of time of death	p. 221
14.2 Classical methods for the determination of PMI	p. 222
14.3 Magnetic resonance spectroscopy	p. 224
14.4 How to predict PMI based on MRS measurements	p. 229
14.5 Outlook	p. 232
14.6 References	p. 235
Index	p. 241

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