POTSDAM, N.Y. — A long-simmering murder case in northern New York connected to the strangulation of a 12-year-old boy is shaping up as an important legal test of a cutting-edge method of teasing DNA evidence out of microscopic amounts of biological matter.
Category Archives: Low Copy Number
Potsdam Boy’s Murder Case May Hinge on Minuscule DNA Sample From Fingernail
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Posted in Low Copy Number
Rapid DNA analysis for automated processing and interpretation of low DNA content samples
From Investigative Genetics-Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis of casework samples with low DNA content include those resulting from the transfer of epithelial cells from the skin to an object (e.g., cells on a water bottle, or brim of a cap), blood spatter stains, and small bone and tissue fragments. Low DNA content (LDC) samples are important in a wide range of settings, including disaster response teams to assist in victim identification and family reunification, military operations to identify friend or foe, criminal forensics to identify suspects and exonerate the innocent, and medical examiner and coroner offices to identify missing persons. Processing LDC samples requires experienced laboratory personnel, isolated workstations, and sophisticated equipment, requires transport time, and involves complex procedures. We present a rapid DNA analysis system designed specifically to generate STR profiles from LDC samples in field-forward settings by non-technical operators. By performing STR in the field, close to the site of collection, rapid DNA analysis has the potential to increase throughput and to provide actionable information in real time.
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Posted in Low Copy Number
New DNA test will make New Jersey debut in murder case
HACKENSACK, N.J. – (AP) — The trial of a Wood-Ridge man accused of beating a woman to death and setting her body on fire will mark the first time that a jury in New Jersey will consider evidence in a murder case based on a “next generation” test that can analyze the DNA from just a few cells of biological material.
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Posted in Forensic Industry News, Low Copy Number
Linear amplification of target prior to PCR for improved low template DNA results
Forensic analysis of genetic material is often limited by the quantity and quality of DNA available for examination. Stochastic effects associated with low amounts of starting template can lead to a reduction in the quality of the result, making interpretation difficult. This paper presents an amplification method to copy target DNA in a linear fashion prior to short tandem repeat (STR) analysis to increase the available starting template without introducing the amplification bias seen in other methods used to increase the sensitivity of PCR. Results show that implementing the pre- PCR procedure allows for greater allele recovery in multiplex STR analysis compared with samples that were not subjected to prior processing.
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Posted in DNA Education, DNA Research, Low Copy Number
Aarushui murder case: Defence witness favours LCN DNA test on exhibits
GHAZIABAD: On the last day of his cross-examination, a London-based DNA expert who is also a defence witness in Aarushi murder case, today favoured Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA test on exhibits seized by Noida Police and CBI during the investigation.
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Posted in Forensic Industry News, Low Copy Number
New DNA system to be introduced
Northern Ireland is set to be the first part of the UK to introduce a new DNA profiling system that will effectively supersede the controversial low copy analysis technique.
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Posted in Forensic Industry News, Low Copy Number
UNT Health Science Center to Help Identify up to 20,000 Found in Libya’s Mass Graves
FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — DNA experts at the UNT Health Science Center will help train Libyan scientists to analyze the remains of an estimated 20,000 people found in mass graves in Libya following the uprising of 2011 in an effort to identify them. The mass graves are thought to contain remains of people who went missing during the 42-year regime of Muammar Gaddafi. The identification work is expected to take several years.
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Posted in Low Copy Number, Mass Disaster, Missing Persons
Forensic experts front court for Morcombe murder committal hearing
Australia
…A scientist from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, who was instrumental in identifying Ned Kelly’s remains through blood provided by one of his descendants, told the Brisbane Magistrates Court how she matched DNA from Daniel’s family to bones found at the Glass House Mountains search site north of Brisbane…
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Posted in Low Copy Number, Missing Persons, Mitochondrial Testing
Dr. Henry C. Lee, One of the World’s Leading Forensic Scientists, to Investigate the Use of Pressure BioSciences’ Enabling Pressure Cycling Technology (“PCT”) Platform for Use in Multiple Areas of Forensic Analysis
SOUTH EASTON, Mass., March 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:PBIO) (“PBI” or the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into a collaboration with the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Sciences (the “HCL Institute”). The award winning HCL Institute, located on the campus of the University of New Haven (West Haven, CT), is considered one of the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art forensic teaching facilities in the world.
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Posted in Forensic Industry News, Low Copy Number, New ID Technologies
Tan Malaka’s DNA test difficult but team presses ahead
Jakarta Post
A team of relatives, historians and forensic scientists are pressing ahead with their efforts to carry out DNA tests on remains excavated in an East Java village three years ago, thought to be that of controversial leftist figure Tan Malaka.
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Posted in Cold Cases, Low Copy Number
Experts contest DNA evidence in Knox appeals trial
Associated Press Italy
ROME (AP) – Experts dispute much of the forensic evidence collected against Amanda Knox, saying in a report Wednesday that testing of DNA traces used to convict the American student and her co-defendant in the murder of her roommate was below international standards and evidence may have been contaminated.
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Posted in Current Cases, Low Copy Number
French to study Toscan du Plantier evidence
Irish Times.com
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has agreed to allow a French forensic investigation team to travel to Ireland to carry out their own examination on evidence gathered by gardaí investigating the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in west Cork.
A spokesman for the Minister for Justice confirmed to The Irish Times that permission had been granted for the move after investigating French magistrate Judge Patrick Gachon wrote to the Irish authorities during the summer seeking access to the evidence.
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Posted in Cold Cases, Low Copy Number
Aarushi case: CBI gets father’s golf club, contacts Scotland Yard for tests
Express India
More than two years after the murder of Delhi schoolgirl Aarushi Talwar and family help Hemraj, the CBI has contacted the Scotland Yard for advanced forensic examination of pieces of evidence recovered from the scene of crime.
Over the past two weeks, the CBI has been in correspondence with Scotland Yard, seeking recommendation of a reputed laboratory where LCN (low copy number) DNA profiling can be conducted in the UK.
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Posted in Low Copy Number, New ID Technologies