DNA analysis from human remains

DNA testing from human remains may be used to confirm parent-child relationships and identity, but unlike DNA testing from living cells or fresh body tissue, it involves some special issues and limitations. Below is some key information on DNA testing from human remains.

1. Purpose of DNA analysis from human remains

DNA testing from human remains may be performed for the following purposes

Confirmation of parent-child relationship: to prove biological relationship with the child after the death of the parent.
Identification: This may be done when unidentified bodies are found in disasters, accidents, wars, etc.
Inheritance issues: In the event of an inheritance, an appraisal may be required to prove the parent-child relationship of the deceased.

2. Difficulty in collecting DNA from human remains

Extracting DNA from human remains is more difficult than from common blood, saliva, or hair. DNA in human remains tends to deteriorate over time, and if poorly preserved, DNA may be destroyed.

Storage conditions: moisture and soil can degrade the DNA in the remains, making extraction difficult.
Success rate of the analysis: Depending on the preservation condition and environment of the remains, the success rate will be higher if the DNA is well preserved, but if the DNA is deteriorating, the success rate will be lower.
Bone types: certain areas, such as teeth and femurs, are more likely to retain DNA than others.

3. The DNA analysis process

DNA testing from human remains involves several additional processes compared to regular DNA testing. These include the following steps

Bone cleaning: The surfaces of the remains are cleaned and disinfected to remove contaminants and environmental factors.
DNA extraction from bone: DNA is extracted from the inside of bones and teeth.This is a very precise procedure and is performed in specialized labs.
Amplification of DNA: If the amount of extracted DNA is low, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is used to amplify the DNA to ensure that it is sufficient for the identification.
DNA Analysis: Based on the extracted and amplified DNA, parent-child relationships and identities are confirmed.

4. Cost and time

DNA analysis from remains is technically more difficult and more expensive than regular DNA analysis.In general, the cost ranges from several hundred thousand yen to several million yen.In addition, the time required for DNA analysis is longer than that of a regular DNA analysis, and it may take several weeks to several months to obtain the results.

5. Legal and ethical issues

Legal and ethical issues may be involved in DNA testing from human remains, including

Consent of the family: DNA analysis using human remains usually requires the consent of the deceased’s family.The use of human remains without consent may be legally problematic.
Cultural and Religious Considerations: There may be cultural and religious restrictions on the handling of human remains. In particular, certain religions and communities may deem it inappropriate to exhume or use human remains for appraisal.

6. Measures to improve success rate

To improve the success rate of DNA testing from human remains, the following points should be considered

Confirmation of the state of preservation: it is important that the remains are not affected by soil or moisture. The environment of the cemetery in particular has a significant impact on the success of the appraisal.
Select appropriate remains: some bone types and sites are more likely to retain DNA than others.Durable sites such as teeth and femurs are preferred.

Conclusion

DNA analysis from remains plays a very important role in confirming parent-child relationships and identities, but it is often technically challenging, expensive, and time-consuming. In addition, attention must be paid to the preservation of the remains and legal and ethical issues.