title: Quantitative and qualitative assessment of DNA extracted from saliva for its use in forensic identification.
abstract: Saliva has long been known for its diagnostic value in several diseases. It also has a potential to be used in forensic science.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to compare the quantity and quality of DNA samples extracted from saliva with those extracted from blood in order to assess the feasibility of extracting sufficient DNA from saliva for its possible use in forensic identification.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood and saliva samples were collected from 20 volunteers and DNA extraction was performed through Phenol Chloroform technique. The quantity and quality of isolated DNA was analyzed by spectrophotometery and the samples were then used to amplify short tandem repeat (STR) F13 using the polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean quantity of DNA obtained in saliva was 48.4 ± 8.2 μg/ml and in blood was 142.5 ± 45.9 μg/ml. Purity of DNA obtained as assessed by the ratio of optical density 260/280, was found to be optimal in 45% salivary samples while remaining showed minor contamination. Despite this positive F13 STR amplification was achieved in 75% of salivary DNA samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study showed that saliva may prove to be a useful source of DNA for forensic purpose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Maharana Pratap College of Dentistry and Research Center, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Parul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khare
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vineet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shaleen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Suraksha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agarwal
keywords: Deoxyribo nucleic acid; F13; forensic identification; saliva