Human identification using dental DNA in crime scene investigations: from genetic marker analysis to forensic extraction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/reh.v35i4.7142Keywords:
forensic genetics, human identification, genetic profile, tooth, forensic odontologyAbstract
The objective of this study was to review the updated literature on the importance of DNA in human identification and on the possibility of extracting DNA from teeth in forensic contexts. The review highlights scientific progress from the development of microscopy to research on the human genome, including the process automation, the analysis of genetic markers, and DNA extraction from teeth. In addition, recent technological advances are discussed and current methods used for DNA-based human identification at crime scenes are described, including Rapid DNA technology, forensic genetic genealogy, forensic DNA phenotyping, and DNA extraction from teeth. In conclusion, DNA-based human identification is fundamental to forensic practice because it supports case resolution and the establishment of kinship relationships. Therefore, staying updated in this field is essential to effectively apply scientific advances to clinical investigations.
Downloads
References
Turingan RS, Brown J, Kaplun L, Smith J, Watson J, Boyd DA, et al. Identification of human remains using Rapid DNA analysis. Int J Legal Med [Internet]. 2020; 134(3): 863-872. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02186-y
Hares DR, Kneppers A, Onorato AJ, Kahn S. Rapid DNA for crime scene use: enhancements and data needed to consider use on forensic evidence for State and National DNA Databasing - An agreed position statement by ENFSI, SWGDAM and the Rapid DNA Crime Scene Technology Advancement Task Group. Forensic Sci Int Genet [Internet]. 2020; 48: 102349. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102349
Dabas P, Jain S, Khajuria H, Nayak BP. Forensic DNA phenotyping: inferring phenotypic traits from crime scene DNA. J Forensic Leg Med [Internet]. 2022; 88: 102351. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102351
Biggin MR, Albrecht I, Novroski NM. Assessing DNA recovery and profile determination from bloody snow. Sci Justice [Internet]. 2022; 62(2): 152-155. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2022.01.001
Ragazzo M, Puleri G, Errichiello V, Manzo L, Luzzi L, Potenza S, et al. Evaluation of OpenArrayTM as a genotyping method for forensic DNA phenotyping and human identification. Genes [Internet]. 2021; 12(2): 221. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12020221
Castillo-Salazar VL, Campozano-Castillo PR. Estudio del ADN: una revelación personal del ser humano. Pol Con [Internet]. 2020; 5(2): 316-332. Disponible en: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7435310
Latham KE, Miller JJ. DNA recovery and analysis from skeletal material in modern forensic contexts. Forensic Sci Res [Internet]. 2019; 4(1): 51-59. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2018.1515594
Villalobos-Rangel H. Las pruebas de ADN en el contexto forense. Rev Cienc Forenses Honduras [Internet]. 2018; 3(2): 28-38. Disponible en: https://www.bvs.hn/RCFH/pdf/2017/pdf/RCFH3-2-2017-8.pdf
Glynn CL. Bridging disciplines to form a new one: the emergence of forensic genetic genealogy. Genes [Internet]. 2022; 13(8): 1381. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13081381
Michael AR, Blatt SH, Isa M, Redgrave A, Ubelaker DH. Identification of a decedent in a 103-year-old homicide case using forensic anthropology and genetic genealogy. Forensic Sci Res [Internet]. 2022; 7(3): 412-426. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2022.2034717
Shah P, Velani PR, Lakade L, Dukle S. Teeth in forensics: a review. Indian J Dent Res [Internet]. 2019; 30(2): 291-299. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_9_17
Finaughty C, Heathfield LJ, Kemp V, Márquez-Grant N. Forensic DNA extraction methods for human hard tissue: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of technologies and sample type. Forensic Sci Int Genet [Internet]. 2023; 63: 102818. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2022.102818
Gawali R, Kaur A, Shukla M, Ganatra H, Ekka MM, Patel BC. Comparative evaluation of different human dental tissues and alveolar bone for DNA quantity and quality for forensic investigation. Forensic Sci Int [Internet]. 2021; 325: 110877. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110877
Manjunath BC, Chandrashekar BR, Mahesh M, Vatchala Rani RM. DNA profiling and forensic dentistry - A review of the recent concepts and trends. J Forensic Leg Med [Internet]. 2011; 18(5): 191-197. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2011.02.005
Carrasco P, Inostroza C, Didier M, Godoy M, Holt CL, Tabak J, et al. Optimizing DNA recovery and forensic typing of degraded blood and dental remains using a specialized extraction method, comprehensive qPCR sample characterization, and massively parallel sequencing. Int J Legal Med [Internet]. 2020; 134(1): 79-91. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02124-y
Heathfield LJ, Haikney TE, Mole CG, Finaughty C, Zachou AM, Gibbon VE. Forensic human identification: investigation into tooth morphotype and DNA extraction methods from teeth. Sci Justice [Internet]. 2021; 61(4): 339-344. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2021.05.005
Bowman Z, Daniel R, Gerostamoulos D, Woodford N, Hartman D. Rapid DNA from a disaster victim identification perspective: is it a game changer? Forensic Sci Int Genet [Internet]. 2022; 58: 102684. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2022.102684
Wickenheiser RA. Forensic genealogy, bioethics and the Golden State Killer case. Forensic Sci Int Synergy [Internet]. 2019; 1: 114-125. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.003
Meng HT, Lan Q, Zhu BF. DNA molecular identification of human phenotypic characteristics - New progress over the past five years. Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi [Internet]. 2019; 35(5): 512-518. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2019.05.002
Tejasvi ML, CK AA, Reddy ER, Kulkarni P, Bhayya H, Kugaji MS. Individuals age determination from human dental pulp through DNA analysis by PCR. Glob Med Genet [Internet]. 2021; 8(2): 57-61. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1723084
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Denisse Linda Turpo-Claudio, Stefani Angie Turpo-Claudio
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The authors retain the copyright and cede to the journal the right of first publication, with the work registered with the Creative Commons License, which allows third parties to use what is published as long as they mention the authorship of the work, and to the first publication in this journal.
