Recommendations of the Polish-speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG-PL) regarding the disclosure of biological traces and the handling of evidence for identification tests. / Zalecenia Polskojezycznej Grupy Miedzynarodowego Towarzystwa Genetyki Sadowej (ISFG-PL) dotyczace ujawniania i identyfikacji sladów biologicznych przeznaczonych do badan genetycznych.

The purpose of this paper is to formulate recommendations for the disclosure of biological traces in the laboratory and the handling of forensic evidence submitted for identification tests, recommended by the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. The paper organizes the knowledge of the most relevant stages of preliminary analysis of biological traces based on both literature sources and those resulting from years of research practice. Recommendations formulated in the course of multi-stage expert consultations contained in this study should be used in the development of laboratory procedures applied during the execution.

The intervertebral discs' fibrocartilage as a DNA source for genetic identification in severely charred cadavers.

Identifying charred human remains poses a challenge to forensic laboratories. High temperature completely incinerates the superficial tissues and partially destroys bones, forcing the forensics to seek an alternative, for bones and teeth, forensic material that should quickly and cheaply deliver DNA of sufficient quantity and quality. We sought, other than rib cartilage, types of cartilages that could serve as a DNA source. DNA was isolated from the fibrous cartilage of a fibrous ring of intervertebral L1-L2 discs sampled from charred cadavers or charred body fragments: 5 victims of car fires, 1 victim of combustion during a residential house gas explosion, and 3 victims of nitroglycerin explosion. DNA was isolated by the column method. DNA quality and concentration were assessed by RT-PCR and multiplex PCR for 23 autosomal and 17 Y chromosome STR loci. STR polymorphism results obtained by capillary electrophoresis served for likelihood ratio (LR) calculations. DNA concentration in relation to the cadaver's age and post-mortem interval (PMI) were analyzed. All samples (n = 9) yielded good-quality DNA in quantities (0.57-17.51 ng/µL for T. Large autosomal sequence) suitable for STR-based amplification. The isolated DNA characterized a low degradation index (0.80-1.99), and we were able to obtain complete genetic profiles. In each of the nine cases, the genotyping results allowed identifying the victims based on comparative material from the immediate family. The results demonstrate the usefulness of human intervertebral disc fibrocartilage as an alternative DNA source for the genetic identification of charred bodies or charred torso fragments.

Post-tracheostomy complications: respiratory failure caused by authologic foreign body-case report.

Tracheostomy is performed frequently as a palliative treatment in patients with end-stage respiratory failure (RF). However, in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation it may be difficult to recognize and can often lead to life-threatening RF. We present two cases of acute-on-chronic respiratory failure (ACRF) occurring in patients who had undergone tracheostomy [one with percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and the second with surgical tracheostomy (ST)]. The first case was admitted due to ACRF several months after previous successful decannulation and the second case after failure of several attempts of weaning from tracheal cannula. In both cases, noninvasive mechanical ventilation assisted flexible bronchoscopy (NIV-FB) was able to identify and solve the tracheal stenosis secondary to stiff banana-shaped whitish foreign bodies. Histology sampling and genetic testing confirmed autologous foreign body formation-tracheal cartilage calcification. NIV-FB was found to be safe and effective in both diagnosis and treatment of the tracheal stenosis. Life-threatening RF connected with tracheal stenosis may be caused by rupture of tracheal cartilage ossification in patients with a history of ST and PDT. Bronchofiberoscopy performed with NIV will be a useful procedure to evaluate and treat the respiratory tract in patients with RF with suspected tracheal stenosis.

Filter mask as a new candidate of personal belonging used in cadaver identification - a case report.

The case report presents an identification process based on DNA isolated from personal belongings, including a filter mask. In May 2021, an unidentified 65-year-old male corpse was revealed by the city's outskirts road. Since it was impossible to use material from living relatives for comparative analysis, the samples of personal belongings of the alleged victim were used instead: clippings of the filtering face piece type 2 (FFP2) face mask (parts adhering to the nose and the earlobes, the central part of the mask), swabs from the razor (blade and shaft), toothbrush shaft, and toothbrush filaments clippings. The presented case indicates the need for collecting a wide range of samples for genetic analyses, including filter masks as an alternative item of personal belonging.

When DNA profiling is not enough? A case of same-sex siblings identification by odontological assessment after gas explosion-related building collapse.

We aimed to show the usefulness of odontological assessment in forensic investigation. Charred remains of two female siblings were found in a collapsed building after a gas explosion. Due to thermal damage of the bodies, the facial characteristics, fingerprints, height and weight could not be used to distinguish between siblings. Since the victims, 4 and 10-year-old, died simultaneously and all personal belongings were lost, DNA profiling performed with their parents only confirmed the relationship. As dental charts of siblings were not found, we could not easily discriminate which remains would be of the elder and which of the younger sister. The odontological examination enabled us to discriminate between the siblings based on differences in deciduous and permanent dentition. We conclude that although DNA profiling is becoming a standard method of personal identification in some cases it should be supported by additional methods to deliver comprehensive forensic reports.

Mutation analysis of short tandem repeats in a population sample from Upper Silesia (southern Poland).

In paternity testing, DNA polymorphism analysis not only settles explicitly disputed paternity issue but also provides information on mutation frequencies in STR loci. In this study, insertion or deletion of one repetitive unit was observed in 38 of 32,391 meiotic transfers analysed in 953 paternity testing cases. Parentage samples from Upper Silesia (southern Poland) were examined in 2008-2014 with the use of three commercially available amplification kits: AmpFlSTR Identifiler (Applied Biosystems), PowerPlex 16 HS (Promega) and PowerPlex ESX 17 (Promega). The rate of paternal mutations was 4.6 times higher than that of maternal ones. The highest mutation rate was noted at VWA locus. Interpopulation comparisons showed statistically significant differences in mutation rates of several STRs between Upper Silesia and populations from Brazil and China. There were no differences in occurrence of mutations between a population from Upper Silesia and another southern Polish population from a region of Lesser Poland. Our results suggest that knowledge of STR mutation rates in different populations may be important for calculations of probability of relationship in disputed paternity testing and that such calculations should be based on population-specific mutation rates, at least for some STR markers used commonly in forensic genetics.

[Methods of carbon monoxide determination in postmortem blood--advantages and disadvantages]. / Metody oznaczania tlenku wegla we krwi sekcyjnej--zalety i ograniczenia.

With respect to epidemiology of carbon monoxide poisonings, the diagnostic management of poisonings caused by this xenobiotic is among the fundamental objectives of forensic toxicology. In forensic practice, to determine carbon monoxide, colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods, as well as gas chromatography are used. Based on literature data and their own experience, the authors discuss analytical methods universally applied in determinations of carbon monoxide in postmortem blood. The advantages and disadvantages, as well as the cause of errors resulting from the specificity of the examined material (postmortem blood) are indicated.

[Opinion-forming difficulties in establishing paternity resulting from the lack of data on the relationship between biological and putative father]. / Trudnosci opiniodawcze w ustalaniu ojcostwa spowodowane brakiem informacji o pokrewienstwie biologicznego i domniemanego ojca.

Among a large number of expert opinions concerning disputed paternity cases prepared in the Chair of Forensic Medicine and Medico-Legal Toxicology, Silesian University of Medicine, Katowice, there were those in which the use of a standard 15 autosomal loci AmpFISTR Identifiler kit was not sufficient to give an unequivocal opinion. The authors report a case of disputed paternity, in which the analysis done by applying an AmpFISTR Identifiler kit showed no paternity heredity in 2 loci in the child. As allele distribution did not exclude mutation, further genetic markers were determined using PowerPlex ESX and FFFL kits and further three exclusions were found. Moreover, X-chromosome loci were determined using a MentypeAngusX8 test, which confirmed the exclusion of paternity in further 4 loci.

[Population genetics of 11 STR loci in the Upper Silesia population]. / Genetyka populacyjna 11 loci systemów STR w próbkach badanych na Górnym Slasku.

The report present the results of population studies of 11 STR loci: D16S5539, D7S820, D13S317, CSF1PO, TPOX, TH01, F13A01, FESFPS, VWA, F13B, LPL originating from samples examined in Laboratory of Biological traces, Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Silesian Medical University. The examinations were performed in the group of 455 non-consanguinated adults, men and women, from Upper Silesia. The purpose of the investigation was to study the distribution of allele frequencies of 11 short tandem repeat representative sample of the Upper Silesia (Poland) population, to show genetic balance in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg's law for the studied population and to compare homogeneity of the usefulness of 11 STR genetic markers for paternity testing and forensic identification purposes. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples and swabs from oral cavity by The Blood DNA Prep Plus kit (A&A Biotechnology) and EZ1 DNA tissue Kit for the use on the BioRobot EZ1. All reactions were carried out according to the manufacturer's recommendations (Silver Stain Detection, Promega). POR amplification was performed following the instructions of the GenePrint STR System kit using a GeneAmp PCR System 2700 Thermal Cykler. PCR products and Promega Ladders were separated by vertical electrophoresis on 6% denaturing polyacrilamide gel (Amresco), electrophoresis and visualized by silver staining (Promega Corporation). Allele frequencies, the values of heterozygosity (Ht), polymorphism information content (PIC), power of discrimination(PD), power of exclusion (PE), paternity index (PI), and matching probability (PM) were calculated using FatRec by Dudek's program and TFPGA of Miller. The concordance with HWE was evaluated using the chi-square test. The compared statistic parameters, which make an important component of research work and opinionating, show that 11 STR loci constitutes a very useful tool for individual identification in crime research and in putative paternity research.

[Polymorphism of STR system F13B in the upper Silesian population]. / Polimorfizm lokus STR F13B w populacji Górnego Slaska.

The paper shows the results of studies on locus F13B in the population of Upper Silesia. The examinations were performed in the group of 433 unrelated adults. The following genes frequencies were observed: F13B*6=0.0982; F13B*7=0.0127; F13B*8=0.2286, F13B*9=0.2494, F13B*10=0.4042, F13B*11=0.0046 and F13B*12=0.0023. DNA was isolated using Blood DNA Prep Plus of A&A Biotechnology. Amplification was carried out in a Perkin Elmer GeneAmp PCR System 2400 thermal cycler, using GenePrint STR System F13B8 (1q31-q32.1) of Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA. PCR products were electrophoretically separated by high-resolution polyacrylamide gel - GDG of Perkin Elmer. Gels were stained by the silver method. The X2 test, exact and Carmody test were used for statistical analysis. The identification values of the system were: PD, Ht, PM, MEC, PIC, MEP The analysis of the studies showed that the examined population was in the genetic equilibrium conformable to the Hardy-Weinberg's principle. The estimated gene frequencies were similar to those observed in five other Polish populations. The population of Poland was demonstrated to be homogenous.

[Research on DNA polymorphism in mixed biological traces]. / Obserwacje nad mozliwoscia identyfikacji polimorfizmu DNA w plamach biologicznych mieszanych.

The authors present the results of VNTR-PCR DNA polymorphism of three STR loci. Gene profiles were determined in experimental spots of blood from 2 or 3 unrelated individuals mixed in the ratios 1:1-1:100. Genotypes were successfully determined in mixed blood spot samples of ratios 1:1-1:60. A small amount of DNA in all those samples manifested a light electrophoretic staining. The electrophoretic band disappearance in the mixed blood spot samples of high dilution (<1:70) did not allow for determination of their genotypes. In the paper the results obtained while identifying biological traces from sexual offences in which mixed DNA occurred have been also presented.

[Polymorphism of the STR system LPL in the Silesian population]. / Polimorfizm lokus STR LPL w populacji Górnego Slaska.

This paper shows the results of locus LPL in the population of Upper Silesia. The examinations were performed in a group of 147 unrelated adults. The following gene frequencies were observed: LPL*9 = 0.0578; LPL* 10 = 0.4048; LPL* 11 = 0.2517, LPL* 12 = 0.2449 i LPL* 13 = 0.0408. DNA was isolated using Blood DNA Prep Plus of A&A Biotechnology. Amplification was carried out in a Perkin Elmer GeneAmp PCR System 2400 thermal cycler, using the GenePrint STR System LPL (8p22) of Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA. PCR products were electrophoretically separated by high-resolution polyacrylamide gel--GDG of Perkin Elmer. Gels were stained by the silver method. Test chi 2, exact and Carmody's were used for statistical estimation. The identification values of the system are: PD, Ht, PM, MEC, PIC, MEP. The analysis of studies has shown that the examined population is in the genetic equilibrium conformable to the Hardy-Weinberg's principle. The estimated gene frequencies are similar to those observed in two Polish populations.

[Comprehensive medico-legal examination of an unidentified burnt victim NN with regard to individual identification]. / Kompleksowa ekspertyza sadowo-lekarska dotyczaca NN zwlok spalonych, z uwzglednieniem ich identyfikacji osobniczej.

In the paper the authors present results of the postmortem examination of the burnt body of an unidentified young man NN, who was suspected of being kidnapped, held in custody and finally burnt. During the autopsy dental identification was carried out and its results were compared to the dental card of the chosen man. Toxicological examinations of alcohol, CO, drugs and medicines were negative. Additionally, for individual identification, the analysis of blood DNA polymorphism was carried out in the following loci: CSF1PO, TPOX, TH01, F13A01, VWA, F13B, HPRTB, D16S539, D7S820, D13S317 (STR systems), D1S80 and also DQA1, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, GC. The results of the DNA polymorphism in the deceased were compared to those obtained in putative parents. Statistical analysis of the obtained results of the DNA analysis allowed to find out that the man NN was the son of H.E. and R.E. This comprehensive medico-legal examination allowed for identification of the deceased.