PECULIARITIES WHILE PREPARING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF FORENSIC MOLECULAR GENETICS EXAMINATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INITIATED DUE TO MURDERS

Pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings initiated due to murders requires to possess special knowledge, take into consideration the peculiarities and procedure for conducting investigative (search) and procedural actions by investigators and prosecutors. The most evidential method is considered to be the method of DNA profiling, which has confirmed its efficiency in the mentioned criminal proceedings. The procedure of preparing to the appointment of forensic molecular genetics examinations is a significant stage of forensic examination. It should be carried out at an appropriate level. The errors made by investigators while the detection, collection of biological origin samples, their storage and transportation exclude the possibility of solving identification problems, and sometimes the accomplishment of criminal proceedings tasks, what necessitates the need to develop recommendations aimed at eliminating them. The article purpose is to identify the modern capabilities of forensic molecular genetics examinations in the investigation of murders initiated due to murders, determining typical errors, which are made by prosecutors at the stages of preparation and appointment of the indicated examinations and the development of recommendations for their prevention and elimination. Ensuring the elimination and prevention of errors that are made by investigators, as well as the prevention of processes of DNA contamination and degradation are possible due to increase in the level of investigators’ special knowledge and the formation on this basis of skills for conducting appropriate investigative (search) and procedural actions. It is possible thanks to the involvement of forensic experts in the field of genetics while carrying out these actions, as well as in the case of appointing a group of investigators on indicated criminal proceedings. The indicated and worded recommendations regarding the measures that are expedient to be taken with the purpose of exclusion and elimination of common mistakes are a promising avenue for further scientific developments.

Pyrosequenzierung zur molekularen Altersschätzung in der DNA-Spurenanalyse

The estimation of the chronological age based on DNA methylation markers by bisulfite sequencing is a promising new method in forensic molecular genetics. The application of the method to forensic trace samples from crime scenes was recently legalized following a change of the German law. Biological traces display a challenging sample source since they are usually of small amount. To increase sensitivity, we have developed an optimized pyrosequencing protocol for quantitative methylation analysis.