Forensic DNA ethics_PhaseI

What types of projects and studies are underway [in your laboratory]?
Our work can be grouped in three main areas. Primarily we are conducting basic research. However we also have projects that test and evaluate new methods and projects that provide operational support to the community and to forensic laboratories. As an example of the latter we are managing and maintaining here at NCFS the US Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database. On the more fundamental research side, we focus on Y-chromosome analysis, body fluid identification, the area of physical characteristics, low-copy-number analysis, and damage and repair of DNA.

Y-chromosome analysis is important for sexual assault investigations and, in the future for helping predict a male individual’s biogeographical ancestry. We have developed a number of Y-STR and Y-SNP multiplex systems to accomplish these goals.

We have spent a lot of time developing mRNA profiling methods for the identification of body fluids and tissue. Our goal is to substitute molecular genetics techniques for standard immunological methods that are slow, not very specific, and consume precious sample. In practice, we use methods that take advantage of our ability to simultaneously co-isolate DNA and RNA portion from the same sample.

Another work focus is the area of physical characteristics. A STR-based DNA profile itself does not in itself tell us anything about the physical attributes of the person depositing the stain. It can only be used to assess identity or disparity of biological case evidence to an established reference, a suspect, or a database. But DNA can be further interrogated and serve as a ‘genetic eyewitness’, so to speak: sex, height, weight, and stature; hair, eye and skin color; as well as age and ethnic background can, in principle, be determined on a genetic level. DNA (or even RNA-) based physical characteristics data will one day complement the DNA profile or deliver crucial information in the absence of a database hit. DNA-encoded age information is particularly fascinating. Imagine a terrorist case where DNA traces of a senior person would point to the bomb engineer or ”mastermind” while the DNA of a younger person could be attributed to the assailant.

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