Direct PCR amplification from extracted tissues for individual identification

Object: As biological samples, human tissue fragments are often found at many scenes of mass disasters. Rapid genetic analysis of large numbers of such tissue samples is important for the identification of victims in these mass disasters. We report a new method of PCR amplification directly using scrape tissues for individual identification without DNA extraction. Design: Experimental study using autopsied tissue samples to investigate the usefulness of a one-step DNA isolation method for PCR amplification and genotyping of minisatellite and microsatellite polymorphisms. Materials and methods: Scrape samples of liver, lung, kidney and heart tissues were collected from 17 autopsied bodies. Each scrape preparation was transferred to 500 μl of digest buffer. The DNA in the digests was amplified by PCR in order to determine minisatellite and microsatellite DNA polymorphisms. Results: The genotypes of D1S80 and 15 STRs were successfully amplified using 0.1 mg of scrape tissue for all the tissue types examined in all 17 individuals. Conclusion: Our results indicate that using an enzymatic digest of human tissues is a rapid and convenient method to detect genotypes.