Forensic implications of genetic analyses from degraded DNA—A review

Received 28 August 2008; received in revised form 30 August 2009; accepted 11 September 2009. published online 05 October 2009.

Abstract

Forensic DNA identification techniques are principally based on determination of the size or sequence of desired PCR products. The fragmentation of DNA templates or the structural modifications that can occur during the decomposition process can impact the outcomes of the analytical procedures. This study reviews the pathways involved in cell death and DNA decomposition and the subsequent difficulties these present in DNA analysis of degraded samples.

Keywords: DNA degradation, Forensics, Cell death, Deoxyribonuclease, PCR

a School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

b Forensic and Data Centres, Australian Federal Police, Canberra, Australia

Corresponding author. Fax: +61 2 6223 3270.

PII: S1872-4973(09)00148-3

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2009.09.007

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