Eleanor A. M. Graham

Anthropological Measurement of Lower Limb and Foot Bones Using Multi-Detector Computed Tomography

Abstract:  Anthropological examination of defleshed bones is the gold standard for osteological measurement in forensic practice. However, multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) offers the opportunity of three‐dimensional imaging of skeletal elements, allowing measurement of bones in any plane without defleshing. We present our experiences of the examination of 15 human lower limbs in different states of decomposition using MDCT. We present our method of imaging and radiological measurement of the bones including sex assessment. The radiological measurements were undertaken by three professional groups–anthropology, radiology, and forensic pathology–both at the site of scanning and at a remote site. The results were compared to anthropological oestological assessment of the defleshed bones. We discuss the limitations of this technique and the potential applications of our observations. We introduce the concept of remote radiological anthropological measurement of bones, so‐called tele‐anthro‐radiology and the role that this could play in providing the facility for standardization of protocols, international peer review and quality assurance schemes.

Disaster victim identification

In the event of any mass fatality incident, despite the cause, disaster victim identification must be undertaken; the humanitarian and legal responsibility for this falls on the forensic community. Mass fatality incidents can be natural (e.g., tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes), accidental (e.g., building collapse, ship sinking) or can occur as a result of a terrorist attack. Terrorism alone has been responsible for thousands of deaths in recent years and can be encountered in many forms (e.g., suicide bombings, airplane hijackings). In mass fatality situations, the experitise of many specialities are called on to assist in the identification efforts and to allow for the speedy return of recovered human remains to the relatives of the deceased. Today, DNA plays a vital but never solitary role in disaster victim identification.

Lab-on-a-chip technology

The techniques and laboratory processes involved in the production of DNA profiles for forensic applications are well developed, robust, and reliable. Unfortunately, they can now also be considered too slow and expensive to be able to match the ever-increasing demands placed upon them. The most rapid DNA profiling instrumentation in current usage are capillary electrophoresis (CE) systems. CE systems have greatly enhanced visualization and analysis throughput, but are still unable to keep up with current demand. However, developments in nanobiotechnology are allowing for the production of miniature systems to decrease the time and costs involved in profile production.

Investigation into “Normal” Background DNA on Adult Necks: Implications for DNA Profiling of Manual Strangulation Victims

Abstract:  Others have investigated the role that DNA profiling could play as a method for identifying the perpetrator of manual strangulation. These studies have demonstrated that it is possible to collect offender DNA from the skin surface of a victim following physical contact. It is not known whether nonself biological material is normally present on the skin surface due to adventitious transfer occurring during innocent everyday interactions. To test the hypothesis that detectable amounts of nonself DNA are normally present on the skin surface of healthy adult individuals due to the adventitious transfer of DNA occurring during normal day‐to‐day social interactions, we designed an experiment in three phases. Phase 1 was used to deduce which DNA collection, extraction, and amplification methods were suited to investigating this question. During phase 2, the neck surface of 24 healthy adult volunteers was swabbed. DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA mini kit and amplified using the SGM Plus PCR amplification kit, using 28 PCR cycles. The work carried out during phase 3 involved a simulated assault to investigate primary and secondary transfer of DNA during physical contact. It was found that 23% of neck areas swabbed during phase 2 of this investigation showed nondonor alleles in the resulting DNA profile, with 5% of areas showing six or more nondonor alleles. The results of phase 3 showed that primary, secondary, and zero transfer of victim and/or offender DNA could be observed after physical contact and that alleles from an unknown source could still be detected in this more controlled experiment. The data presented in this paper demonstrate that DNA profiles generated after swabbing the skin surface of healthy adults can include components of an unknown source, present due to adventitious transfer. These components, if present in large quantities, have the potential to interfere with DNA profile interpretation of swabs taken for the investigation of physical assault by DNA profiling.

How long does it take a static speaking individual to contaminate the immediate environment

Developments in forensic genetic profiling mean that only a very little DNA is required to generate an identifying profile. However, as this sensitivity increases so does the risk of contamination with non-offender DNA, potentially leading to the conviction of innocents, or release of the guilty. The work of Rutty et al. showed that a static and talking person deposited DNA in front of them within a 15-minute period. This work expands on that of Rutty et al. by determining the time period required for an individual to deposit sufficient DNA for a positive identification to be made, and the distance that this contamination can be detected from the speaking individual. To simulate a scene of crime, sheets of Benchkote® were used to represent an area of interest and an unprotected subject talked over them for a variety of times, in a variety of positions (standing, kneeling, and sitting at a desk). Results show that contamination by talking in both kneeling and sitting positions occurred almost immediately (<30 seconds, but not from just one sentence) up to 69 cm from the subject. When standing, contamination could be observed up to a maximum 115 cm from the subject, and was only present in one of three repeats when talking for only 30 seconds. This article illustrates how rapidly a static person can potentially contaminate an area in front of him or herself within a laboratory or scene environment, just by talking.

Room temperature DNA preservation of soft tissue for rapid DNA extraction: an addition to the disaster victim identification investigators toolkit?

In mass fatality incidents, for example following a vehicle accident or terrorist event, severe fragmentation of bodies may occur, making identification by the use of traditional techniques such as fingerprinting or odontology difficult. In such situations DNA profiling can be employed for individualization and re-association of fragmented remains. As at times disrupted soft tissue may be the predominate tissue type requiring identification and re-association. We have investigated the use of two buffer solutions for preservation of soft tissue samples that may be collected during such investigations, when buccal cells, blood samples or teeth or bone may not be available. Both buffer solutions have shown sufficient DNA preservation over a 12-month period of storage at room temperature to allow for DNA profiling to be successfully performed when 5-1000 mg muscle tissue was stored in each solution.

DNA reviews: hair

Human and nonhuman hairs are often recovered during forensic investigation. As with all other biological samples that may be collected, via DNA analysis, hairs have the potential to provide the investigating authority with valuable intelligence pertaining to the identity of offenders, victims and even pets. DNA analysis of hairs is not however a straightforward process. The biochemical make up of hairs provide the DNA analyst with a unique set of challenges that must be overcome before any useful information can be gleaned from the evidence. This short review provides an overview of the location and condition of DNA within hair samples, and discusses the analytical methods that are employed to maximise the information that can be obtained from this sample type.

DNA reviews: low level DNA profiling

Low copy number (LCN) DNA profiling has recently been scrutinized in the United Kingdom following the comments of Mr Justice Weir made during the trial of suspected terrorist Sean Hoey. Mr Hoey was acquitted of all charges related to the Omagh bombing of 1998, following the inadmissibility of key DNA evidence during this trial. The Association of Chief Police Officers and Crown Prosecution Service, initially suspended the use of this technique, but quickly reinstated its use following an internal enquiry. This review describes the low copy number technique and the sample types that are now routinely collected from suspects, victims, and crime scenes for examination by this method.

DNA reviews: Ancient DNA

The rapid development, success, and occasional failures of forensic DNA profiling are highly publicised, and as a consequence are well known to the scientific and public communities alike. Over the same period of time that forensic DNA typing has accelerated onto the scene, another related discipline has been born and has made equally, or perhaps, even more groundbreaking achievements in the same arena; that is the science of (bio)molecular archaeology. This review describes the extreme complications of ancient DNA analysis and highlights some of the major achievements that have been accomplished in this field. The nature of DNA degradation and possible solutions to this problem are discussed.

Retrieval of DNA from the faces of children aged 0–5 years: a technical note

Approximately 21% of children suffer from some form of physical abuse. It is hypothesized that when an individual hits a child some of that persons DNA will be deposited onto the childs skin. As yet, no one has reported a method of sampling DNA from the skin of this vulnerable group of individuals. We have sampled DNA from several facial areas of 30 children aged 5 years of age and under. The results show that it is possible to swab the faces of this age group without distressing them or contaminating the samples. Additionally the results indicate that the DNA obtained is almost entirely that of the subject, with little nondonor DNA being observed.