Case reading: Forensic community’s response to September 11
Brion Smith: chief deputy medical examiner for the DNA division of the office of the
armed forces medical examiner
World trade center:
Marie Samples: OCME
- Has 90 technicians on staff
- Examine physical evidence, conduct DNA extractions, oversee DNA
quantitation, DNA typing
911: they extracted DNA from all remnants recovered
Blood and tissue samples were sent to Myriad Genetics where they used STR;
a technique that focuses on 13 loci found over the 23 pairs of chromosomes. After
PCR application, the newly capillary electophesis.
Bones where sent to BODE technical group: when tissue samples are severely
burned a process called Mitochondrial DNA analysis is used: Celera Genomics
helped oversee this process
- Celera built four new forensic labs and hired Rhonda Roby as an overseer
Quality control:
Once DNA profiles are obtained they send the results back to NY state police
laboratory where it is stored in a modified CODIS database
This database is used to match September 11 DNA profiles to those
recovered victims’ blood samples submitted by relatives.
Sample Analysis:
The condition of the recovered body part determines which type of analysis- nuclear
or mtDNA- is preformed
Nuclear DNA: is used because it is faster: the DNA fragments are amplified using
PCR and analyzed. Then the profile is used to math with a victim
- Problem: a lot of sample is needed and usually only three grams of unable
tissue is available for analysis and that is not enough
MtDNA: there is an abundance of Mitochondria in the cells cytoplasm but the
MtDNA only comes from the mother. The higher number of MtDNA genomes in the
cell increases the likelihood of successful PCR amplification.
-Problem: it is more expensive and difficult
The Pentagon and Somerset:
DNA division of the OAFME handled the remains at these sites
The fist facility: AFIP they were invited by the local coroner to do DNA
identifications
The second facility: OAFME facility, collected samples of blood
Where They Prepared:
- Better software in the chain of custody is necessary
The Need For New Technology:
- PCR is the biggest addiction to forensic technology
- Possible robotic systems