Physical and Biochemical Factors Affecting the Recovery and Analysis of DNA from Human Skeletal Remains

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dc.contributor.advisorJoseph E. Warren
dc.contributor.committeeMemberRhonda Roby
dc.contributor.committeeMemberTeresa D. Golden
dc.creatorCombs, Laura Gaydosh
dc.date.accessioned2019-08-22T21:46:13Z
dc.date.available2019-08-22T21:46:13Z
dc.date.issued2014-12-01
dc.date.submitted2015-06-17T10:30:06-07:00
dc.description.abstractThere are approximately 4,400 sets of unidentified human remains recovered each year, nearly a quarter of which are not identified within the year following recovery. Obtaining genetic information through DNA testing of bone samples has become a critical element to identifying missing persons and recovered human remains. DNA is preserved within the structure of bone for vast amounts of time, surviving environmental and microbial insults, yet bone is one the most challenging sample types encountered by forensic scientists. This is due to the resilient structure of bone and the prevalence and variety of materials which co-isolate with DNA during extraction and function as inhibitors of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bone-associated PCR inhibitors include native components and environmental materials, acquired as a consequence of the porous composition of bone. Quality assurance requirements governing DNA testing laboratories do not mandate direct evaluation of the product of the DNA extraction process; coupled with poor characterization of PCR inhibitors, the forensic community has not adequately demonstrated the efficiency of methods used to extract DNA from bone samples. The primary hypothesis is failure of PCR-based testing of DNA from skeletal remains is frequently encountered due to inefficient extraction methods and PCR inhibition. This dissertation project has: 1) demonstrated an approach for identifying and characterizing putative PCR inhibitors, emphasizing those originating from the mineral contents of bone; and, 2) assessed the efficiency of current methods used for extracting DNA from bone samples, in terms of quality and quantity of the recovered template. Control genomic DNA, bone samples from adjudicated forensic cases obtained from the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, and cadaver bone samples obtained from the Willed Body Program at University of North Texas Health Science Center were used for experiments. Laboratory experiments included: DNA extraction, analysis of DNA fragmentation, quantification of DNA, amplification of short tandem repeat (STR) forensic loci, genetic analysis, and elemental analyses that were conducted in collaboration with the University of North Texas Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science Program.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12503/29571
dc.language.isoen
dc.provenance.legacyDownloads14
dc.subjectBiological and Physical Anthropology
dc.subjectCell Biology
dc.subjectForensic Science and Technology
dc.subjectGenetics
dc.subjectInvestigative Techniques
dc.subjectLaboratory and Basic Science Research
dc.subjectMedical Sciences
dc.subjectMedicine and Health Sciences
dc.subjectskeletal remains
dc.subjectDNA extraction
dc.subjectDNA analysis
dc.subjectelemental analysis
dc.subjectPCR inhibition
dc.titlePhysical and Biochemical Factors Affecting the Recovery and Analysis of DNA from Human Skeletal Remains
dc.typeDissertation
dc.type.materialtext
thesis.degree.departmentGraduate School of Biomedical Sciences
thesis.degree.disciplineBiomedical Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy

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