scholarly journals Autosomal STR Profiling and Databanking in Malaysia: Current Status and Future Prospects

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1112
Author(s):  
Hashom Mohd Hakim ◽  
Hussein Omar Khan ◽  
Japareng Lalung ◽  
Bryan Raveen Nelson ◽  
Geoffrey Keith Chambers ◽  
...  

Science and technology are extensively used in criminal investigation. From the mid- to late-1980s, one of the scientific discoveries that has had a particularly remarkable impact on this field has been the use of highly variable DNA sequence regions (minisatellites) in the human genome for individual identification. The technique was initially referred to as DNA fingerprinting, but is now more widely referred to as DNA profiling. Since then, many new developments have occurred within this area of science. These include the introduction of new genetic markers (microsatellites also known as short tandem repeats/STRs), the use of the polymerase chain reaction for target amplification, the development of DNA databases (databanking), and the advancement and/or improvement of genotyping protocols and technologies. In 2019, we described the progress of DNA profiling and DNA databanking in Malaysia for the first time. This report included information on DNA analysis regulations and legislation, STR genotyping protocols, database management, and accreditation status. Here, we provide an update on the performance of our DNA databank (numbers of DNA profiles and hits) plus the technical issues associated with correctly assigning the weight of evidence for DNA profiles in an ethnically diverse population, and the potential application of rapid DNA testing in the country. A total of 116,534 DNA profiles were obtained and stored in the Forensic DNA Databank of Malaysia (FDDM) by 2019, having increased from 70,570 in 2017. The number of hits increased by more than three-fold in just two years, where 17 and 69 hits between the DNA profiles stored in the FDDM and those from crime scenes, suspects, detainees, drug users, convicts, missing persons, or volunteers were recorded in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Forensic DNA analysis and databanking are thus progressing well in Malaysia and have already contributed to many criminal investigations. However, several other issues are discussed here, including the need for STR population data for uncharacterized population groups, and pilot trials for adopting rapid DNA profiling technology. These aspects should be considered by policy makers and law enforcement agencies in order to increase the reliability and efficiency of DNA profiling in criminal cases and in kinship analysis in Malaysia.

BioTechniques ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 951-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Hedman ◽  
Anders Nordgaard ◽  
Birgitta Rasmusson ◽  
Ricky Ansell ◽  
Peter Rådström

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-209
Author(s):  
Issam Mansour ◽  
◽  
Ansar El Andari ◽  
◽  

Forensic DNA analysis is based on the evaluation of DNA profiles obtained from reference samples or crime scene traces. Profiles are determined using different commercial STR multiplex kits, which includeallelic ladders for the correct designation of alleles ofa given STR system. However, some new STR variants could be observed and their identification is essential for proper allele size calling in casework interpretation and cases of kinship matching or relationship testing. A total of 6392 samples were analyzedas part of the DNA work at our DNA testing facility from 2004 until 2016, where one hundred and twelvenew different STR variant alleles of 20STR loci wereobserved in the Lebanese population. Forty-fiveof these variant alleles were internationally reported in the STR-base whereas the remainingsixty-sevenalleles were observed for the first time. The loci included D3S1358, D19S433, D21S11, D13S317, TPOX, FGA, D7S820, D18S51, CSF1PO, D2S1338, D10S1248, D12S391, D22S1045, D2S441, Penta-D, Penta-E, SE33, D1S1656, vWA, and THO1.Also, four triallelic patterns were observed at D21S11, D12S391, D13S317 and Penta-D loci. Primer binding site mismatch that resulted in a discordance between the amplification of different kits was observed once attheD19S433 locus.


Author(s):  
Sabreen Sabreen Aboujildah

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling, has had a tremendous impact on forensic genetics. Before DNA profiling, all forensic genetic casework (e.g., Paternity testing, criminal casework, individual identification) was performed using classical serological genetic markers. Blood groups, human leukocyte antigen (HLA), and polymorphic protein and enzymes were used for solving forensic genetic casework using immunological and electrophoretic methodologies. These genetic markers were nevertheless limited when it was necessary to analyze minimal or degraded material, which is commonly involved in forensic cases. An STR is a region of human DNA containing an array of tandem repeats. Arrays range from only a 10 to about a hundred repeated units. This essay confers the basic concepts of operating of DNA in the criminal investigation. This review primarily summarizes the major tandem repeat markers used in forensic DNA profiling, that assist criminal’s conviction, exonerate the inferring individuals, and recognize victims of violence, catastrophes, and armed conflict.


2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1674) ◽  
pp. 20140252 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Butler

The author's thoughts and opinions on where the field of forensic DNA testing is headed for the next decade are provided in the context of where the field has come over the past 30 years. Similar to the Olympic motto of ‘faster, higher, stronger’, forensic DNA protocols can be expected to become more rapid and sensitive and provide stronger investigative potential. New short tandem repeat (STR) loci have expanded the core set of genetic markers used for human identification in Europe and the USA. Rapid DNA testing is on the verge of enabling new applications. Next-generation sequencing has the potential to provide greater depth of coverage for information on STR alleles. Familial DNA searching has expanded capabilities of DNA databases in parts of the world where it is allowed. Challenges and opportunities that will impact the future of forensic DNA are explored including the need for education and training to improve interpretation of complex DNA profiles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-127
Author(s):  
Nasir Siddique ◽  
Muhammad Amjad ◽  
Qazi L. Ahmad ◽  
Saleem U. Shahid ◽  
Mohammad A. Tahir

A first information report was registered at Police Station of Faisalabad District, Pakistan. A boy (7-8 years old) went to a nearby shop and went missing. He was last seen with the accused suspect on a motorcycle as reported by eye witnesses. His naked dead body was found from nearby sugarcane fields tied with his clothing.  Autopsy revealed three incised wounds on the neck. The post-mortem was done and anal swabs were used for DNA profiling. Post mortem medico legal examination indicated sexual abuse of the boy prior to being murdered. Forensic DNA analysis confirmed that the seminal material found on anal swabs of the victim belonged to the suspect. The same DNA profile was also found from the samples of nail scratch swab samples of the victim. The suspect was confirmed to be the perpetrator.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-441
Author(s):  
Denise Syndercombe Court

Originally relatively ignored in forensic investigations because its genetic analysis lacks inference of individual identification, the value of Y chromosome analysis has been proven in cases of sexual assault, particularly where the amount of material left by a male assailant is limited in comparison with female DNA. All routine analysis of autosomal DNA, however, targets a gene (AMELY) on the Y chromosome in order to identify the sex of the DNA source and this is discussed in the context of the genetic structure of this male-specific chromosome. Short-tandem repeat markers on the chromosome are tested in dedicated multiplexes that have developed over time and these are described alongside international guidance as to their use in a forensic setting. As a marker of lineage, the Y chromosome provides additional tools to assist in the inference of ancestry, both geographical and familial and the value of Y chromosome testing is illustrated through descriptions of cases of criminal and historical interest. A decision to analyse the Y chromosome has to be considered in the context, not only of the circumstances of the case, but also with regard to the ethical questions it might raise, and these are discussed in relation to the cases that have been described in more detail in the accompanying online supplementary material.


Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1973-1980
Author(s):  
Jinko Graham ◽  
James Curran ◽  
B S Weir

Abstract Modern forensic DNA profiles are constructed using microsatellites, short tandem repeats of 2–5 bases. In the absence of genetic data on a crime-specific subpopulation, one tool for evaluating profile evidence is the match probability. The match probability is the conditional probability that a random person would have the profile of interest given that the suspect has it and that these people are different members of the same subpopulation. One issue in evaluating the match probability is population differentiation, which can induce coancestry among subpopulation members. Forensic assessments that ignore coancestry typically overstate the strength of evidence against the suspect. Theory has been developed to account for coancestry; assumptions include a steady-state population and a mutation model in which the allelic state after a mutation event is independent of the prior state. Under these assumptions, the joint allelic probabilities within a subpopulation may be approximated by the moments of a Dirichlet distribution. We investigate the adequacy of this approximation for profiled loci that mutate according to a generalized stepwise model. Simulations suggest that the Dirichlet theory can still overstate the evidence against a suspect with a common microsatellite genotype. However, Dirichlet-based estimators were less biased than the product-rule estimator, which ignores coancestry.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Borovko ◽  
Alena Shyla ◽  
Victorya Korban ◽  
Alexandra Borovko

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