title: Technical note: Efficient removal of a PCR inhibitory agent (vivianite) found on excavated bones.
abstract: During a rescue excavation in October 2011, archaeologists discovered a mass grave with 10 individuals. The skeletons should belong to victims of the battle of Reichenberg between the Austrian and Prussian armies on April 21, 1757. Several bones of the skeletons were covered with a blue colored encrustation. Initial DNA analysis failed due to strong inhibition. Chemical analysis of the bluish encrustation indicated the presence of the iron phosphate mineral vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2·(H2O)8). This technical note describes a novel procedure for the removal of this inhibitory substance.
authors.affiliation: Forensic DNA Service, Budinova 2, 180 81, Prague 8, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jitka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Votrubova-Dubska
authors.affiliation: Forensic DNA Service, Budinova 2, 180 81, Prague 8, Czech Republic; Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Legal Medicine, Bulovka Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address: daniel.vanek@DNA.com.cz.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Bulovka Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zikmund
authors.affiliation: University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Oto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mestek
authors.affiliation: Forensic DNA Service, Budinova 2, 180 81, Prague 8, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vladislava
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Urbanova
authors.affiliation: Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brzobohata
authors.affiliation: North Bohemian Museum Liberec, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brestovansky
mesh_terms: D002048:Burial; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D010710:Phosphates; D004247:DNA; C518753:ferrous phosphate
keywords: DNA extraction; PCR inhibitors; Vivianite