Forensic genotyping of biological contact microtraces in strangulation

E. Dragomir, A. Orasteanu

Abstract: Forensic genotyping of biological contact microtraces in strangulation cases. Microtraces category opened new investigation possibilities of some offences, in most cases, difficult to prove. For example, the remaining microtraces after the contact between an object and and a person’s epithelial tissue (skin) or after the pressure exertion of the offender’s hands on the victim’s tegument (strangulation using hands or other objects as: belts, cables, ropes, etc.), represent an important source for traces, used in solving difficult crimes with social impact. In our study, we pursued solving two murder cases (strangulation using a belt, strangulation using hands) using biological microtraces(epithelial cells) picked up from the crime scenes. The remaining contact traces (epithelial cells) on the belt picked up from the victim’s neck (belt strangulation) and microtraces sampled using cotton swabs from the victm’s neck(hand strangulation) have been quantified using RT-PCR method and for genotyping was used the AMPFistr Identifiler - Multiplex kit. The resulting amplicons were analysed using the ABI-Prism 3100 Genetic Analyser.
Keywords: DNA typing, microtraces, strangling,