Journey of unidentified bodies towards DNA identification: A social, medico-legal and forensic perspective from New Delhi in India.

INTRODUCTION: According to studies undertaken in numerous nations, alarming increase in the number of unidentified bodies is a global concern. The population worldwide is increasing, and so is the population of the developing Indian subcontinent. Interestingly, a portion of this population is made up of individuals who have flocked from different states in search of employment, etc. Such people die under unfortunate circumstances, and under a police inquest, the process of their identification begins with an autopsy surgeon and a forensic scientist playing a larger role in it. DNA profiling provides an efficient tool in identification of such unidentified bodies. In addition, the authors have attempted to put together a background narrative of the ill-fated individuals; divulging into their standing in the urban society. MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 100 case files related to unidentified bodies were selected from total cases received between 2017 and 2021 at Regional Forensic Science Laboratory. The various parameters were reviewed, followed by DNA profiling of all exhibits. An attempt was made to correlate the said parameters with respect to DNA profiles and vice-versa to comprehend how these parameters, coupled with DNA profiling, help in identification of unidentified bodies. RESULTS: The majority of the unknown deceased were males in the age range of 3-90 years old. The unknown deceased died of natural or unnatural causes, with majority dying of injury or trauma. The approximate time since death ranged from same day up to 6 months. Exhibits like dried blood gauzes, liquid blood samples in EDTA vials, teeth, and bones were able to generate DNA profiles in most of the cases for identity of deceased. Blood gauze was the most common source of exhibits submitted at the laboratory. CONCLUSION: The study's findings revealed that besides age, sex or cause and manner of death of decedent, the type of exhibit (blood gauze, tooth, etc.) for DNA examination, the appropriate exhibit, if collected and preserved properly, can play a vital role in identification. A systematised action plan is required by law enforcement agencies in order to minimise the social and legal burden of unidentified dead bodies. In such a plan, medical experts must note down all possible findings at the time of post-mortem and collect suitable exhibits for DNA profiling. Further DNA profiling of the exhibits by forensic DNA experts should be done to preserve the unaltered identity of the deceased for a longer term in a DNA database.

A multidisciplinary approach in pre-pubertal child sexual assault cases - forensic evaluation and suggestions.

BACKGROUND: Child sexual assault is highly prevalent in India yet a handful cases are reported under POCSO (Protection against child sexual offenses) Act, 2012. Even though the victims' testimony alone is enough to arrest accused as regulated by the Supreme Court but forensic evidence is still critical for sentencing rapists. A systematic evaluation of such cases will estimate impact of Child sexual assault (CSA) and pinpoint important aspects required for progression of prevention strategies and provision of support. METHOD AND OBJECTIVE: Present study reviewed cases pertaining pre-pubertal victims (up to 10 years age). Study included simple descriptive analysis of data highlighting significance of different variables in sexual assault cases involving child victims- perpetration, interventions, medical examination and forensic DNA analysis with the aim to improve primary preventive strategies and identify potential setbacks obstructing road to justice. RESULT: The strengths and weaknesses of pre-pubertal sexual assault assessment were identified. This study analyzed socio-economic backgrounds, age of alleged accused and whether known to the victim. Frequently reported type of abuse was assessed and total reviewed cases that yielded DNA profile from exhibits of victims and alleged accused were determined. CONCLUSION: As emerged in present study, pre-pubertal CSA is a complicated phenomenon grounded in interplay between societal influences, family support, evidence collection, legal delays, and medical hindrances that greatly affect DNA analysis. Prevalence of CSA is evidently alarming and demands stringent measures to be taken to prevent and control it. Joint and multidisciplinary assessment is important for forensic reporting rather than solo assessment.

UV-Visible spectroscopic effect on Haemoglobin & DNA degradation: A forensic approach.

In forensic casework, sample degradation is a largely an unsolved problem that exists due to poor preservation protocols. In Indian subcontinent, the forensic blood stains are commonly exposed to different ecological conditions for months before they are collected and transferred to the forensic laboratory for analysis. Under such conditions, the question of haemoglobin (Hb) & nucleic acid stability is of utmost importance. The biological evidence, especially the blood sample that underwent extreme conditions should further be retained in an appropriate storage facility until processed for the forensic serology/DNA testing. The present study provides the spectroscopic approach of analyzing Hb and DNA degradation of forensic blood samples preserved under varied conditions (tabulated and graphically). These samples were further subjected to and DNA analysis to assess the quality of sample based on different preservation conditions. At last, this study suggests the effective and appropriate preservation protocol of sample soon after its collection.

Molecular cloning and characterization of salt overly sensitive gene promoter from Brassica juncea (BjSOS2).

Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway comprising SOS1, SOS2 and SOS3 genes has been recognized as the key mechanism controlling ion homeostasis under salinity stress. SOS2 component of this pathway encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that together with SOS3 activates downstream Na(+)/H(+) antiporter SOS1, reestablishing cellular ion homeostasis under salinity stress. In the present study, we have found that the transcript levels of BjSOS2 are induced in response to various abiotic stresses. We have isolated a 713 bp promoter region of SOS2 gene from Brassica juncea to study the regulation of BjSOS2 under various abiotic stress conditions and further, to examine utility of the cloned upstream region in genetic engineering experiments. For this purpose, 713 bp BjSOS2 promoter:ß-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion construct, along with its two subsequent 5' deletion derivatives, D1 (443 bp) and D2 (209 bp), were stably transformed into B. juncea. Functional analysis of transgenic lines revealed significant increase in promoter activity under salinity, desiccation as well as abscisic acid (ABA) treatment which was consistent with increased transcript levels of GUS gene. BjSOS2 promoter possesses strong multi-stress inducible nature, suggesting its involvement in various aspects of stress signaling. Considering the fact that the simultaneous presence of multiple abiotic stress conditions under field conditions is a challenging threat to crop productivity, future studies may utilize the BjSOS2 promoter to drive stress-inducible expression of genes involved in imparting tolerance to multiple stresses.

Knowledge, behaviour change, and anticipated compliance regarding non-pharmaceutical interventions during pandemic of influenza A H1N1 in Delhi.

CONTEXT: Compliance for non-pharmaceutical interventions for containment of Influenza A H1N1 is determined by community understanding and accurate information by appropriate risk commu-nication strategy. AIMS: To assess the baseline awareness of public regarding Influenza A H1N1 and its existing risk communication strategy; and to assess public expressed willingness to comply with containment measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample of 300 subjects (>18 years) coming to primary health centre (PHC) in Delhi was interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was collected from 1(st) July to 1(st) Sept 2009 by systematic random sampling. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Only 66 (22%) individuals had complete knowledge about the spread, symptoms, risk groups, and method of prevention for Influenza A H1N1 infection. Knowledge was significantly higher among males and literates. Only 45 (15%) individuals thought that information given by government on H1N1 is complete and understandable. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the respondents were willing to comply with containment measures, if implied by government. It was significantly high among literates.

Dental fluorosis and its association with the use of fluoridated toothpaste among middle school students of Delhi.

INTRODUCTION: Fluorosis can manifest as dental fluorosis (seen mostly in secondary dentition), skeletal fluorosis, and systemic fluorosis. Groundwater with high fluoride concentrations, diet rich in fish and tea, indoor air-pollution, and use of fluoride toothpastes may contribute considerably to total exposure. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis and associated factors particularly fluoridated toothpastes, among middle school children of a resettlement colony in Delhi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey was conducted among the middle school students (VI th -VIII th ) studying in three government schools of Sangam Vihar, South Delhi. Students were examined for dental fluorosis by experts. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data regarding age, source of drinking water, toothpaste used, etc. Height, weight, and hemoglobin were recorded. Two repeat visits were made. Out of 432 students enrolled in these schools, 413 students were examined. STATISTICS: Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used. RESULTS: Dental fluorosis was prevalent in 121 (29.3%) study subjects. It was significantly more in children of age 13 years or above, in those who used fluoridated toothpaste for dental cleaning (P=0.033) and in anemic children (P<0.001). However, there was no significant association of disease with gender (P=0.02), source of drinking water (P=0.417), and with BMI (P=0.826). CONCLUSION: As dental fluorosis is very common (in about one-fourth) among the middle school children, in this resettlement colony of Delhi, various control measures e.g. discouraging the fluoridated toothpastes, educating parents about fluorosis, de-fluoridation of water in the high risk areas, etc may help to tackle this situation.

Profile and sensitivity pattern of bacteria isolated from various cultures in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi.

The objective of present study was to determine the profile and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of bacteria isolated from various cultures in a tertiary hospital in Delhi. Culture and sensitivity of all blood, urine, pus, and throat sample reports obtained from May 2006 to April 2007 were analyzed from the central microbiology laboratory register. Among 6918 sample reports analyzed, about half (46%) of them were positive. The most commonly bacteria isolated in 35% of positive blood and pus samples was vancomycin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Most common organism isolated in 54% of positive urine samples was imepenem-sensitive Escherichia coli.

A study of job satisfaction and work environment perception among doctors in a tertiary hospital in Delhi.

BACKGROUND: Many doctors are dissatisfied with their jobs, which is due to long working hours and overwork. This can affect patient care and reduce quality of care. OBJECTIVES: To study job satisfaction among doctors in a tertiary hospital in Delhi and the various factors related with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data collection was done among 250 doctors on tenure-based job, selected by stratified random sampling, in a teaching hospital in Delhi, by using a self-administered questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Proportions and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The mean number of work-hours among doctors was 9.7 +/- 2.7 hours per day, and the mean number of night shifts was 5.6 per month. About half (49.6%) of the doctors were dissatisfied with the average number of work-hours per day. Dissatisfaction was significantly more in those who had an average of> 8 work-hours per day and who had > or =8 night shifts per month. About half (45.6%) of the doctors considered their salary as 'bad,' and this was significantly more among unmarried doctors, interns and those who had > or =8 night shifts per month. More than half (55.2%) of the doctors were dissatisfied with their choice of profession, i.e., being a doctor, as compared to other professions. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of doctors were found to be dissatisfied with the average number of their work-hours and salary. Factors like the average number of work-hours per day and the number of night shifts per month were found to have a significant relation with dissatisfaction. Further studies are needed to explore how best the work-hours of doctors could be adjusted to improve their job satisfaction.

Plasmodium vivax dihydrofolate reductase point mutations from the Indian subcontinent.

Mutations in Dihydrofolate Reductase (dhfr) gene of Plasmodium vivax are known to be associated with resistance to antifolate drugs. To analyze the extent of these mutations in P. vivax population in India, dhfr gene was isolated and sequenced for 121 P. vivax isolates originating from different geographical regions of Indian subcontinent. These sequences were compared with the gene sequence that represent wild type sequence (accession no. X98123). P. vivax dhfr (Pvdhfr) sequences showed limited polymorphism and about 70% isolates showed wild type dhfr sequence. A total of 36 mutations were found at 11 positions in 121 isolates. A majority of mutant isolates showed double mutations at residues 58 (S-->R) and 117 (S-->N), known to be associated with pyrimethamine resistance, but only 19% showed double mutations at residues 57 (F-->L) and 58 (S-->R). Pvdhfr alleles showing quadruple mutation (F57L, S58R, T61M and S117T) were found in two isolates. Three other mutations reported earlier at residue 13, 33 and 173 were not found in any of the Isolates. Six novel mutations at residues 38 (R-->G), 93 (S-->C), 109 (S-->H), 131 (R-->G), 159 (V-->A) and 188 (I-->V) were observed in seven isolates. Whether these novel mutations are linked to pyrimethamine resistance remains to be established.

Different population histories of the Mundari- and Mon-Khmer-speaking Austro-Asiatic tribes inferred from the mtDNA 9-bp deletion/insertion polymorphism in Indian populations.

Length variation in the human mtDNA intergenic region between the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and tRNA lysine (tRNA(lys)) genes has been widely studied in world populations. Specifically, Austronesian populations of the Pacific and Austro-Asiatic populations of southeast Asia most frequently carry the 9-bp deletion in that region implying their shared common ancestry in haplogroup B. Furthermore, multiple independent origins of the 9-bp deletion at the background of other mtDNA haplogroups has been shown in populations of Africa, Europe, Australia, and India. We have analyzed 3293 Indian individuals belonging to 58 populations, representing different caste, tribal, and religious groups, for the length variation in the 9-bp motif. The 9-bp deletion (one copy) and insertion (three copies) alleles were observed in 2.51% (2.15% deletion and 0.36% insertion) of the individuals. The maximum frequency of the deletion (45.8%) was observed in the Nicobarese in association with the haplogroup B5a D-loop motif that is common throughout southeast Asia. The low polymorphism in the D-loop sequence of the Nicobarese B5a samples suggests their recent origin and a founder effect, probably involving migration from southeast Asia. Interestingly, none of the 302 (except one Munda sample, which has 9-bp insertion) from Mundari-speaking Austro-Asiatic populations from the Indian mainland showed the length polymorphism of the 9-bp motif, pointing either to their independent origin from the Mon-Khmeric-speaking Nicobarese or to an extensive admixture with neighboring Indo-European-speaking populations. Consistent with previous reports, the Indo-European and Dravidic populations of India showed low frequency of the 9-bp deletion/insertion. More than 18 independent origins of the deletion or insertion mutation could be inferred in the phylogenetic analysis of the D-loop sequences.