NEW News on testing used to identify the unidentified

Claudette

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New test can more closely pinpoint birth date and death date


I wasn't sure where to post this but it makes the most sense in the UID section.

Just came across this article from sciencedaily.com in which a new test has been developed to help identify UIDs. One thing we all struggle with here is the age of the deceased - how many times have we found out that estimated age was way wrong?

It uses radiocarbon analysis. Someone with a better understanding of "science stuff", or better comprehension at least than I have right now lol, will have to give a better summary than me, but here's a brief explanation:

"In 1968, a child's cranium was recovered from the banks of a northern Canadian river. Initial analysis conducted by investigators, using technology at the time, concluded that the cranium came from the body of a 7-9-year-old child and no identity could be determined. The case went cold and was reopened later.

The cranium underwent reanalysis at the Centre for Forensic Research, Simon Fraser University in Canada, where skull measurements, skeletal ossification, and dental formation indicated an age-at-death of approximately 4 1/2; years old. At Lawrence Livermore, researchers conducted radiocarbon analysis of enamel from two teeth indicated a more precise birth date. Forensic DNA analysis, conducted at Simon Fraser University, indicated the child was a male, and the obtained mitochondrial profile matched a living maternal relative to the presumed missing child."

Also

"Age determination of unknown human bodies is important in the setting of a crime investigation or a mass disaster, because the age at death, birth date and year of death, as well as gender, can guide investigators to the correct identity among a large number of possible matches."

Birth or death would have to have happened in the 50s and 60s, because of some stuff going on in the world (can't type out the word, at work). I THINK. Someone will have to read it and verify. Interesting and helpful information, nonetheless.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121010141458.htm
 
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Sheriff's investigators say they have numerous unidentified bodies that were recovered in Palm Beach County in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Just figuring out who they are, let alone who killed them or how they died, can be a challenge.

In one case, they're making progress.

more at the link

http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_13651.shtml
 
NIST Research Enables Enhanced DNA “Fingerprints”
Starting January 1 (2017), DNA profiles will include more data, making them even more powerful at solving cases.
...
Heat, sunlight and bacteria can all damage DNA. If a blood stain on a piece of clothing has been exposed to the elements, if evidence doesn’t turn up until years after a crime, or if evidence is stored improperly, the DNA can begin to break down. If a break occurs within a marker, scientists can’t measure how long it is, and they get a partial profile.

But some markers withstand damage better than others. (those will be added now to new DNA kits)
...
The FBI announced the upgrade after the trials ended, giving crime labs two years to put the new kits into production and to pass a series of quality assurance tests. According to the FBI’s Hares, many labs have been using the new kits for almost a year.

For crime victims seeking justice, for defendants seeking a fair trial, and for families looking for missing loved ones, a lot depends on the accuracy and reliability of DNA profiles. The transition to 20-markers hasn’t been quick, but it has allowed time for testing and validation.
https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2016/12/nist-research-enables-enhanced-dna-fingerprints



Thu, 12/15/2016 DNA Core Loci Expanding in Two Weeks

DNA has been the “gold standard” in forensic science for two decades. It could get even better – in two weeks.

The National DNA Index System, which relies on a core group of 13 loci, or genetic markers, will expand on Jan. 1 to 20 loci.
The switch adds seven new markers that were carefully selected over a years-long process – making more certain matches – and potentially solving more crimes of both the future – and even the past.

A whirlwind of preparations, capping years of incremental changes, is currently underway at more than 200 crime laboratories nationwide.
...
Some kits already have incorporated additional loci. But still, the bump up to 20 genetic markers could mean the difference between a case breakthrough and an inconclusive result.
http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2016/12/dna-core-loci-expanding-two-weeks#.WFQthm4WtYM.facebook
 
Researchers expand forensic method to identify people using proteins from bones

"In September 2016, LLNL scientists announced they had developed a science-based, statistically validated way to use protein markers from human hair to identify people and link individuals to evidence.

Now they’ve found a second way to use protein markers from human tissue for identification—this time from bones. Their work is described in a paper published online by Forensic Science International, an Amsterdam-based journal."

....

"In the new study, the team examined rib bone samples from 10 recently deceased individuals – five male and five female – of European-American ancestry, finding a total of 35 different protein markers.

Using their current sample sizes, the researchers have found enough markers to provide a unique pattern for an individual that would distinguish that person in ranges of from 1 in 6 people to 1 in 42,000 people.

Although rib bone samples were used in the study, it is believed that any type of human bone could be used for identifying people or linking them to evidence.

While Hart sees protein markers from human hair as being markedly more valuable for identifying people or linking them to evidence, the use of bone protein markers could help with human identification in cases where there isn’t other evidence.

“There is inherently less genetic variability in proteins present in bone compared to human hair,” Hart said. “For purposes of identifying people or linking them to evidence, hair proteins are more valuable."
 

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