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Diagnostic models to predict nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA recovery from incinerated teeth

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Abstract

Teeth are frequently used for human identification from burnt remains, as the structure of a tooth is resilient against heat exposure. The intricate composition of hydroxyapatite (HA) mineral and collagen in teeth favours DNA preservation compared to soft tissues. Regardless of the durability, the integrity of the DNA structure in teeth can still be disrupted when exposed to heat. Poor DNA quality can negatively affect the success of DNA analysis towards human identification. The process of isolating DNA from biological samples is arduous and costly. Thus, an informative pre-screening method that could aid in selecting samples that can potentially yield amplifiable DNA would be of excellent value. A multiple linear regression model to predict the DNA content in incinerated pig teeth was developed based on the colourimetry, HA crystallite size and quantified nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. The chromaticity a* was found to be a significant predictor of the regression model. This study outlines a method to predict the viability of extracting nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from pig teeth that were exposed to a wide range of temperatures (27 to 1000 °C) with high accuracy (99.5–99.7%).

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Acknowledgements

The main author would like to acknowledge Associate Professor Jeremy Austin and the Advanced DNA Identification & Forensic Facility (ADIFF), The University of Adelaide, for providing supervision, laboratory space, and equipment to conduct the DNA work.

Sincere gratitude to Professor Robert Fitzpatrick and Mr. Mark Raven from the Acid Sulfate Soils Centre (ASSC) | Centre for Australian Forensic Soil Science (CAFSS), The University of Adelaide, for providing expertise, facility and equipment for the sample incineration and XRD analysis at Water and Land, CSIRO, Waite, South Australia. The first author would like to give a special thanks to Mr. Anthony Wilkes from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, for providing the technical assistance in preparing the samples.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia

    Rabiah A. Rahmat

  2. School and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5006, Australia

    Melissa A. Humphries

  3. ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Melissa A. Humphries

  4. Forensic DNA Division, Forensic Science Analysis Centre, Department of Chemistry, Selangor, 46661, Malaysia

    Nor A. Saedon

  5. CSIRO, Land and Water, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, South Australia, 5064, Australia

    Peter G. Self

  6. College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, 5042, Australia

    Adrian M.T. Linacre

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  1. Rabiah A. Rahmat
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Correspondence to Rabiah A. Rahmat.

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The handling of the animal remains was conducted according to the University of Adelaide Animal Ethics.

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Rahmat, R.A., Humphries, M.A., Saedon, N.A. et al. Diagnostic models to predict nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA recovery from incinerated teeth. Int J Legal Med 137, 1353–1360 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03017-x

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