DNA obtained from decomposed corpses cartilage: A comparison with skeleton muscle source

Abstract Identification by autossomal STR genotyping of human remains with obvious signs of postmortem decomposition represents a great challenge to forensic science. Skeleton muscle has been recommended if soft tissue is chosen. In this research, the authors compare the results achieved with hyaline cartilage and skeleton muscle collected from 21 dead bodies, as part of the efforts to identify the victims from an aircraft crash mass fatality in Brazilian Amazon rainforest. To test the quantity and quality of obtained DNA, DNA samples were quantified by Real-time quantitative PCR using Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification Kits (Applied Biosystems), and quality was verified by amplification for multiplex system of DNA Amplification Identifiler (Applied Biosystems). The number of cartilage samples whose amount of DNA overcame 0.5ng/μl was remarkably higher, compared to skeleton muscle samples. The quality of extracted DNA was confirmed by the obtained genetic profiles. According to these data, cartilage was superior to skeleton muscle in obtaining STR and amelogenin profiles and seems to be more reliable to be used in human identification in decomposing remains, considering tropical countries like Brazil.