title: [Genetic identification of dead persons: which reference sample should be used?].
abstract: Identification of a deceased person consists in connecting this person with reference data. Within this context, DNA analyses allow to use samples coming from the deceased himself (personal reference) or from persons closely related to the deceased (familial reference). The analysis of 132 genetic identifications performed between 2003 and 2007 in Switzerland illustrates that familial references are predominantly used. Recommendations are presented to optimize the genetic identification process. In particular, personal references collected on the deceased when alive should be preferred. When this is not possible, several reference samples should be analysed in order to minimize the probability of a fortuitous connection.
authors: Section d'identité judiciaire, Police de sûreté valaisanne, Sion. jean-luc.gremaud@police.vs.ch
authors: Jean-Luc
authors: JL
authors: Gremaud
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Gehrig
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Sabatasso
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Castella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013557:Switzerland