Post-mortem forensic identity testing: application of PCR to the identification of fire victim.
BACKGROUND
DNA analysis has been used with success in the identification of carbonized corpses and victims of large accidents. The analysis requires relatives of crash victims to donate blood for analysis. The relatives are generally willing contribute to the identification by giving a blood sample.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genetic characterization of one victim extensively burned by fire.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from blood of the cardiac chamber, and 15 different loci (D1S80, ApoB, D17S30, D3S1744, D18S849, D12S1090, FGA, D7S820, D1S533, D9S304, HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, HUMTHO1, amelogenin and HLA-DQA1) were analyzed using the PCR technique. Results from all loci typing of the corpse were then compared to that of his alleged biological parents, revealing a genetic compatibility.
Soares-Vieira
J A
JA
Department of Legal Medicine, Medicine Faculty, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Billerbeck
A E
AE
Iwamura
E S
ES
Cardoso
L d
Ld
Romero Muñoz
D
D
D002056:Burns; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004247:DNA