Volume 55, Issue 4 pp. 1032-1038

TECHNICAL NOTE
PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

The Effects of Different Maceration Techniques on Nuclear DNA Amplification Using Human Bone

Esther J. Lee Ph.D.,

Esther J. Lee Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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Jennifer G. Luedtke M.A.,

Jennifer G. Luedtke M.A.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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Jamie L. Allison M.A.,

Jamie L. Allison M.A.

Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06102.

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Carolyn E. Arber M.S.,

Carolyn E. Arber M.S.

Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06102.

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D. Andrew Merriwether Ph.D.,

D. Andrew Merriwether Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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Dawnie Wolfe Steadman Ph.D.,

Dawnie Wolfe Steadman Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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Esther J. Lee Ph.D.,

Esther J. Lee Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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Jennifer G. Luedtke M.A.,

Jennifer G. Luedtke M.A.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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Jamie L. Allison M.A.,

Jamie L. Allison M.A.

Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06102.

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Carolyn E. Arber M.S.,

Carolyn E. Arber M.S.

Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06102.

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D. Andrew Merriwether Ph.D.,

D. Andrew Merriwether Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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Dawnie Wolfe Steadman Ph.D.,

Dawnie Wolfe Steadman Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, SUNY, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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First published: 01 July 2010

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01387.x

Citations: 27

Additional information and reprint requests:
Dawnie Wolfe Steadman, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
E-mail: [email protected]

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Abstract

Abstract: Forensic anthropologists routinely macerate human bone for the purposes of identity and trauma analysis, but the heat and chemical treatments used can destroy genetic evidence. As a follow-up to a previous study on nuclear DNA recovery that used pig ribs, this study utilizes human skeletal remains treated with various bone maceration techniques for nuclear DNA amplification using the standard Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) markers. DNA was extracted from 18 samples of human lower leg bones subjected to nine chemical and heat maceration techniques. Genotyping was carried out using the AmpFℓSTR^® COfiler^® and AmpFℓSTR^® Profiler Plus^® ID kits. Results showed that heat treatments via microwave or Biz/Na₂CO₃ in sub-boiling water efficiently macerate bone and produce amplifiable nuclear DNA for genetic analysis. Long-term use of chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide is discouraged as it results in poor bone quality and has deleterious effects on DNA amplification.

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Volume55, Issue4

July 2010

Pages 1032-1038

This article also appears in:

DNA Analysis in Degraded and Unusual Specimens

The Effects of Different Maceration Techniques on Nuclear DNA Amplification Using Human Bone

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The Effects of Different Maceration Techniques on Nuclear DNA Amplification Using Human Bone

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