DNA TYPING OF EPITHELIAL-CELLS AFTER STRANGULATION

DNA typing was carried out on epithelial cells which were transferred from the hands of the suspect onto the neck of the victim. In an exper imental study 16 suspect-victim combinations were investigated for est imating the typing success. Alternatively to an attack against the nec k, the upper arm was used for ''strangulation''. PCR typing was carrie d out using the short tandem repeat systems (STRs) HumCD4, HumVWF31A ( VWA) and Hum-FIBRA (FGA) and the success rate was > 70% for all 3 syst ems. In most of the cases mixed patterns containing the phenotype of t he suspect and the victim were obtained. In a case where strangulation was the cause of death, epithelial cells could be removed from the ne ck of the victim, The DNA pattern of the suspect could be successfully amplified using four STRs, demonstrating the applicability of this ap proach for practical casework.