title: Identification of two fire victims by comparative nuclear DNA typing of skeletal remains and stored umbilical tissues.
abstract: We describe here our collaborative efforts in identifying 2 fatalities of a fire disaster by using a variety of identification techniques. Postmortem findings in both cases were reinforced using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA technology to establish with a high degree of certainty the identities of 2 child victims. STR markers used in the present study include HUMAMEL, HUMCSFIPO, HUMTHO1, HUMvWA, HUMFES/FPS, HUMF13A01, HUMFOLP23, D8S3O6, HUMFGA, and HUMTPOX. Unambiguous identification was made possible through matching DNA profiles generated from skeletal remains with those from umbilical tissues. These tissues were kept by their mothers in accordance with a Philippine tradition and were submitted for DNA analysis. Of the DNA profiles generated from exhumed bone samples of 21 child victims, comparison with the genetic profiles of children A and B obtained from umbilical tissues showed consistent DNA matches with remains 1756 and 1758, respectively.
authors.affiliation: DNA Analysis Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
authors.forename: Gayvelline C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Calacal
authors.forename: Maria Corazon A
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: De Ungria
authors.forename: Frederick C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Delfin
authors.forename: Myra C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lara
authors.forename: Danilo L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Magtanong
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fortun
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005390:Fires; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000379:methods; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000473:pathology*