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US: Forensics center brings upgraded technology to death investigations
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US: Latest police weapon: iWitness ?
Egypt: Forensic findings shed more light on King Tut
US: Washington State Selects Orchid Cellmark as Sole CODIS Supplier
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TOP STORY OF THE MONTH (May, 2013)

Thu May 23, 13

Population genetic data for 23 STR markers from Lebanon - Corrected Proof - Forensic article feed - RSS
Lebanon is a relatively small country with a surface area of 10,452km2 located on the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The Lebanese population, of around four million, has been shaped by many civilizations namely Phoenician, Roman, Persian, Babylonian, Islamic and Christian, followed by both Ottoman and French influences . These civilizations have had a profound impact on the cultural, religious and genetic levels. As a result, the Lebanese population is at present characterized by 18 religious communities which are unevenly distributed over the country and live in a relative isolation (). Due to the geographic isolation and to certain cultural and/or religious practices, marriages take place within the same religious community at an average rate of 88% . In addition, the consanguinity rate ranges from 31 to 36% . Moreover, Lebanon has experienced many wars, most recently the civil war from 1975 to 1990. Wars triggered additional segregation based on religious belongings promoting further endogamous practices. The high endogamy and consanguinity rates have shaped the genetic structure of Lebanese communities . A genetic study of the population of Lebanon is therefore fundamental for a coherent and satisfactory evaluation of evidence in criminal and civil cases.
Mon May 20, 13

Genetic polymorphisms of 9 non-CODIS short tandem repeat loci in two ethnic minority populations in Southern China - Corrected Proof - Forensic article feed - RSS
We determined allele frequencies for 9 autosomal non-CODIS STR loci (D2S1772, D6S1043, D7S3048, D8S1132, D11S2368, D12S391, D13S325, D18S1364, GATA198B05, and Amelogenin) in samples of 188 and 166 unrelated, healthy individuals of the Miao and Gelao populations respectively in the Guangxi municipality of southern China. All participants signed an informed consent form prior to sample donation.
Thu May 16, 13

Increasing phylogenetic resolution still informative for Y chromosomal studies on West-European populations - Corrected Proof - Forensic article feed - RSS
Abstract: Many Y-chromosomal lineages which are defined in the latest phylogenetic tree of the human Y chromosome by the Y Chromosome Consortium (YCC) in 2008 are distributed in (Western) Europe due to the fact that a large number of phylogeographic studies focus on this area. Therefore, the question arises whether newly discovered polymorphisms on the Y chromosome will still be interesting to study Western Europeans on a population genetic level. To address this question, the West-European region of Flanders (Belgium) was selected as study area since more than 1000 Y chromosomes from this area have previously been genotyped at the highest resolution of the 2008 YCC-tree and coupled to in-depth genealogical data. Based on these data the temporal changes of the population genetic pattern over the last centuries within Flanders were studied and the effects of several past gene flow events were identified. In the present study a set of recently reported novel Y-SNPs were genotyped to further characterize all those Flemish Y chromosomes that belong to haplogroups G, R-M269 and T. Based on this extended Y-SNP set the discrimination power increased drastically as previous large (sub-)haplogroups are now subdivided in several non-marginal groups. Next, the previously observed population structure within Flanders appeared to be the result of different gradients of independent sub-haplogroups. Moreover, for the first time within Flanders a significant East–West gradient was observed in the frequency of two R-M269 lineages, and this gradient is still present when considering the current residence of the DNA donors. Our results thus suggest that an update of the Y-chromosomal tree based on new polymorphisms is still useful to increase the discrimination power based on Y-SNPs and to study population genetic patterns in more detail, even in an already well-studied region such as Western Europe.
Wed May 15, 13

New research calls for changes to government scheme on child health care programme - Forensic Media News - RSS
New research at The University of Nottingham is calling for changes to a government scheme which engages community nurses in the prevention of child abuse and neglect in the home as part of a maternal and child health care programme.
Tue May 7, 13

New device extracts human DNA more quickly and efficiently - Forensic Media News - RSS
Take a swab of saliva from your mouth and within minutes your DNA could be ready for analysis and genome sequencing with the help of a new device.
Mon May 6, 13

Analysis of 49 autosomal SNPs in three ethnic groups from Iran: Persians, Lurs and Kurds - Corrected Proof - Forensic article feed - RSS
Abstract: A total number of 149 individuals from Iran (Persians, Lurs and Kurds) were analyzed for 49 autosomal SNPs using PCR, SBE and capillary electrophoresis. No deviation from Hardy–Weinberg expectations was observed. One SNP pair (rs1015250–rs251934) showed significant linkage disequilibrium in Kurds. However, this was most likely due to chance. High intrapopulation variability and no significant population structure were observed among the three ethnic groups from Iran. Pairwise FST values obtained from the mean numbers of pairwise differences between SNP profiles were calculated for Persians, Lurs, Kurds and eighteen other worldwide populations. For each of the three Iranian ethnic groups, the lowest FST values calculated between an Iranian and non-Iranian populations were observed between Iranians and populations in Iraq and Turkey. The three Iranian ethnic groups grouped together with other West Asian populations in the MDS plot drawn from the FST values. Statistical parameters of forensic interest calculated for the Iranian ethnic groups showed values of the same order of magnitudes as those obtained for Asians. The mean match probability calculated for the 49 SNPs ranged from 1.7×10?18 for Kurds to 1.3×10?19 for Persians. Despite the low level of genetic structure observed among Persians, Lurs and Kurds, a single autosomal SNP database should be used with care when extending its forensic application to other Iranian ethnic groups.

Material modifications for the alkaline differential extraction method for sexual assault evidence - Corrected Proof - Forensic article feed - RSS
This letter is an update to the recent Forensic Science International Genetics publication, ‘Development of a Rapid, 96-Well Alkaline Based Differential DNA Extraction Method for Sexual Assault Evidence’: W. Hudlow, M. Buoncristiani. The development of this six-step alkaline differential extraction process was concluded after it was shown to perform well with mock sexual assault swabs and authentic post-coital swabs . Here, we report modifications to the six-step procedure that were made during the validation, implementation and first two years use of the alkaline differential extraction process in the California Department of Justice high-throughput sexual assault casework (Rapid DNA Service (RADS)) program.
Fri April 26, 13

DNA transfer: Review and implications for casework - Corrected Proof - Forensic article feed - RSS
Abstract: DNA-bearing cellular material can come to be present on a surface by either direct or indirect transfer. Direct transfer includes contact, but also includes activities within the vicinity of an item that may result in the transfer of DNA directly from an individual without any contact, such as speaking, coughing, and sneezing. Indirect transfer of DNA is when DNA from an individual comes to be on an item via an intermediary surface. It is important to consider indirect transfer in the evaluation of trace DNA in casework. The term ‘trace DNA’ in this review refers solely to DNA that cannot be attributed to an identifiable body fluid.This review presents and considers data from trace DNA experiments to establish whether the quantity of DNA recovered from a crime stain and/or the quality of a DNA profile obtained can be used to infer the likely mechanism of transfer. The data show that varied results are obtained from apparently similar trace DNA samples, presumably due to the many factors that affect the detection of trace DNA. The nature and effect of these varying factors and the application of the data to casework is considered generally and with specific reference to DNA transfer to skin, DNA beneath fingernails, ‘wearer DNA’, and various contamination considerations.
Thu April 25, 13

FDA announces public-private partnership to identify counterfeit anti-malarial medicines with CD-3 - Forensic Media News - RSS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced a public-private partnership to help identify counterfeit or substandard anti-malarial medicines, including falsified products, with the deployment of the FDA-developed Counterfeit Detection Device, called CD-3.
Wed April 24, 13

University of Leicester study investigates early detection of pancreatic cancer - Forensic Media News - RSS
Pioneering research to investigate whether pancreatic cancer can be detected early through a blood test is to be spearheaded by the University of Leicester thanks to new funding provided by Hope Against Cancer.
Last updated : Thu May 23, 13 - 10:42:39




LATEST NEWS
Aug 11: Job Posting: Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Manager - World Anti-Doping Agency - Montreal
May 14: easyDNA Testing Canada
Jun 21: UK: MSc in Forensic Pyschology & Criminal Investigation online at Univ. of Liverpool
Apr 27: UK: MSc in Forensic Pyschology & Criminal Investigation online at Univ. of Liverpool
Dec 03: UK: MSc in Forensic Pyschology & Criminal Investigation online at Univ. of Liverpool
Nov 04: UK: MSc in Forensic Pyschology & Criminal Investigation online at Univ. of Liverpool
Oct 05: UK: MSc in Forensic Pyschology & Criminal Investigation online at Univ. of Liverpool
Oct 05: US: Forensics center brings upgraded technology to death investigations
Jul 12: US: Anoka, Sherburne, Wright Co. DWI cases at risk due to lab mishap
Jul 12: US: New law expands collection of DNA
Jul 12: Germany: Researchers help identify Srebrenica victims with DNA analysis
Jul 11: UK: How your Apple iPhone spies on you.
Jul 08: US: Latest police weapon: iWitness ?
Jul 02: UK: MSc in Forensic Pyschology & Criminal Investigation online at Univ. of Liverpool
Jun 02: US: Requiring DNA Samples From Felons - Good Law?
Apr 16: How Nuclear Forensics Could Deter Terrorists
Apr 16: US: CSI Glamorgan lab teaches forensics for dummies
Apr 16: US: Investigators Describe Gruesome Scene At Strutz Home
Apr 16: India: Faulty inverter caused VS fire: Forensic experts
Feb 23: Egypt: Forensic findings shed more light on King Tut
Feb 23: US: Texas Supplied Newborn Blood Samples to Forensic Database
Jan 11: Canada: Palm scanning for grad students raises fears
Dec 15: US: Hackers Brew Self-Destruct Code to Counter Police Forensics
Dec 15: Australia: Darcey car bumper allegedly stolen from police forensics lab
Dec 15: Australia: Police chief orders overhaul of forensics
Dec 15: US: U.K. Police Force Veteran, Dr. James M. Hart, to Join Orchid Cellmark Board of Directors
Dec 15: UK: Bogus forensic scientist jailed for child rape
Dec 15: UWI introduces advanced forensics degree
Dec 07: Australia: DNA fiasco: rape conviction quashed
Dec 07: US: Friends, lawyers, scientists campaigned for Knox








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