Sex determination by PCR analysis of DNA extracted from incinerated, deciduous teeth

Sci Justice. 2004 Apr-Jun;44(2):89-94. doi: 10.1016/S1355-0306(04)71694-9.

Abstract

Establishing the biological sex of human remains is a very important part of identifying victims of fire when severe soft tissue destruction has occurred. Deciduous (children's) teeth were exposed to a range of incineration temperatures 100-500 degrees C for 15 minutes. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification was used to identify specific human amelogenin regions. There was successful identification of human biological sex, from deciduous teeth exposed to incineration temperatures of 200 degrees C and below, using standard ethidium bromide gel staining. There was greater sensitivity using fragment analysis by laser induced fluorescence which achieved sex identification from some teeth heated to 400 degrees C.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / analysis*
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • Female
  • Fires*
  • Fluorescence
  • Hot Temperature / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sex Determination Analysis / methods*
  • Tooth, Deciduous / chemistry*

Substances

  • DNA