The sensitivity of forensic DNA typing techniques can cause problems when evidence samples are inadvertently contaminated with DNA from another source. Therefore, precautions need to be taken to minimize the risk of contamination . In this study, laboratory air and surfaces, tools and equipment we re evaluated as potential sources of contaminating DNA. Subsequently, two decontamination procedures, i.e. the conventionally used sodium hypochlorite and the commercially available DNA decontamination solution DNA ZAP TM (Applied Biosystems), wer e compared for their use in removing potentially contaminating DNA from the laboratory working environment.

From our results, it can be concluded that air is unlikely to be the source of observed DNA contamination in the laboratory whereas DNA accumulating on surfaces, tools and equipment within the laboratory environment may potentially be transferred to evidence samples. DNA ZAP TM outperformed the conventionally used sodium hypochlorite decontamination procedure. Stringent preventive measures and decontamination of equipment and laboratory surfaces is important to avoid secondary transfer of this contaminating DNA to evidence samples.

The characterization of low complexity (only a few species present) bacterial communities or commercial consortia products in terms of microbial composition can require a variety of molecular techniques for supporting forensic investigations. We examined a low complexity commercial consortium productfor water treatment application as a model for a tiered molecular approach to studying microbial communities. PCR amplification of 16S rDNA and cpn60 genes were performed on total genomic DNA extracted from the consortium. First, the PCR amplicons were cloned, sequenced and subjected to both DGGE and RFLP analysis, or they were fluorescently labeled and hybridized to a dual backbone taxonomic DNA microarray. Secondly, total genomic DNA from the commercial consortium was subjected to quantitative PCR to determine the concentration of the different components.

The data showed that the dual backbone DNA microarray is extremely useful as a first step to identify the major members of the consortium, including lot-to-lot variation of the commercial product, as validated by independent analyses. More importantly, the DNA microarray proved to be a useful screening tool to detect unexpected and potentially pathogenic microbes in the commercial product. This tiered approach using a DNA microarray screen can be a useful guide for application of more rapid and targeted molecular tools in forensic investigations of microbial communities.

Introduction: Rib fractures are the most common injury sustained following blunt chest trauma, accounting for more than half of thoracic injuries from non-penetrating trauma. Approximately 10% of all patients admitted after blunt chest trauma have one or more rib fractures [1]. In United States they account for 10% of traumatic injuries and 14% of all chest wall injuries. The incidence of flail chest is 10% to 15% of severe chest traumas [ 2].

Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, fatal cases of thoracic trauma autopsied during the period 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2010 were analyzed at the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya District, Karnataka, India.

Results: In the present study, 31.3% of victims belong to the 3 rd decade of life. Women were less involved than men with ratio of 1: 1.5. The mortality rate was 20.18%. The victims in most of the cases sustained non displaced rib fractures followed by displaced fractures. 5 th rib fracture were seen in eight cases followed by 4 th and 6 th ribs fracture were seen in seven cases. The nature of death in most of the cases was accidental. The victims in most of the cases sustained road traffic accidental injuries followed by fall from height. Haemo-thorax was found in 27 cases and pneumo-thorax was seen in 20 cases.

Discussion: In the study done by Mehmet [3]. 548 (38.7%) of the cases had rib fractures. There were 331 males and 217 females, with an overall mean age of 43 years (range: 5–78 years), the etiology of the trauma included road traffic accidents in 330 cases, falls in 122, assault in 54, and industrial accidents in 42 cases. Pulmonary complications such as pneumo-thorax (37.2%), hemo-thorax (26.8%), hemo-pneumothorax (15.3%), pulmonary- contusion (17.2%), flail chest (5.8%) and isolated subcutaneous emphysema (2.2%) were noted [ 3].

Conclusions: A rib fracture secondary to blunt thoracic trauma is an important indicator of the severity of the trauma. In the present study we explored the morbidity and mortality rates in patients with rib fractures. Finally, we come to a conclusion that blunt trauma patients sustaining more number of fractured ribs are always associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates owing to greater severity of internal organ injuries.

Genomic DNA preparations from 60 human cell lines from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), 48 human cell lines from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and 19 embryonic cell lines were profiled for autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci using the AmpFℓSTR ® Identifiler ® kit. Each DNA sample was profiled at least twice to ensure consistency and reproducibility of results. The resulting STR profiles were compared with the STR profiles in the database of ATCC. The allele calls for the common loci between the Identifiler ® kit and the database were identical except for one DNA sample, which we attribute to amplification artifacts. We have observed a high percentage of the STR loci exhibiting allelic imbalance. Certain STR loci for some cell lines exhibited 3 or more alleles. This type of observation can result from a unique profile for a given cell line or as the result of clonotypic heterozygosity and is not necessarily due to contamination. Our study demonstrates that STR based technologies are useful for cell line authentication applications. These data, combined with data from other researchers, will enable the development of a standard genotyping protocol for cell line authentication.

Official technical and scientific recommendations on standard procedures and quality control in the field of testing of paternity do not cover issues relating to methods of subjects’ identification in the processing of paternity investigations that are compulsory for the individuals – parental testing ordered by courts. The aim of this paper is to explore the main issues posed to forensic laboratories when collecting samples for court ordered paternity investigation and therefore contribute to the ongoing debate on social and ethical implications of parental testing and open up new dimensions of this practice. The data was collected from a qualitative study carried out in forensic laboratories in Portugal, based on interviews conducted with forensic experts. The methods for identifying individuals during sample collection are unspecified and heterogeneous and raise several concerns that need to be addressed by common recommendations and an ethically informed code of conduct. Our results indicate that it is needed to start an interdisciplinary discussion about subjects’ identification in that context. These practices demand a more effective coordination between courts of law and forensic laboratories and national guidelines for good practices in the case of paternity testing in judicial proceedings.

Objective: In the case of a newly born infant, either stillborn or found dead, the state of the lungs is of particular forensic interest. The aim of this study was to determine whether lungs are adequate for pathological comment about stillbirth or live birth of infant.

Material and Methods: In order to evaluate the relevance of totally 171 autopsy reports of infants, macroscopic and microscopic findings, and body measures at autopsy, microscopic investigations on the degree of alveolar expansion performed on the lung specimens, were obtained.

Results: The lung filled the thoracic cavity and covered the anterior surface of the heart in 45 (26.37%) cases and didn’t fill the thoracic cavity and presented at the back side of the thoracic cavity in 56 (32.7%) of the cases. In total 40 histological sections, 19 (47.5%) uniform, 10 (25%) semi-collapsed, 11 (27.5%) collapsed alveoli sections in shape, 11 ( 28.2 %) amnion aspiration, 9 (23.1%) mild amnion aspiration, 9 (23.1%) moderate amnion aspiration, 10 (25.6%) evident amnion aspiration, 22 (57.9%) pulmonary emphysema were determined.

Conclusion: Macroscopical findings of infant lungs with combination of histological findings were more formative than their histological findings alone in the assesment of still or live birth of an infant.