Open AccessDental DNA fingerprinting in identification of human remains
Author(s) -
K L Girish,
Farzan S Rahman,
Shoaib R Tippu
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of forensic dental sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0975-2137
pISSN - 0975-1475
DOI - 10.4103/0975-1475.81284
Subject(s) - dna profiling , identification (biology) , biology , dna , enamel paint , computational biology , dentin , forensic dentistry , oral cavity , dentistry , genetics , medicine , ecology
The recent advances in molecular biology have revolutionized all aspects of dentistry. DNA, the language of life yields information beyond our imagination, both in health or disease. DNA fingerprinting is a tool used to unravel all the mysteries associated with the oral cavity and its manifestations during diseased conditions. It is being increasingly used in analyzing various scenarios related to forensic science. The technical advances in molecular biology have propelled the analysis of the DNA into routine usage in crime laboratories for rapid and early diagnosis. DNA is an excellent means for identification of unidentified human remains. As dental pulp is surrounded by dentin and enamel, which forms dental armor, it offers the best source of DNA for reliable genetic type in forensic science. This paper summarizes the recent literature on use of this technique in identification of unidentified human remains.