SRY gene isolation from teeth for forensic gender identification-An observational study

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Genetics
• Odontology

Background:

• Personal identification in forensics relies on DNA analysis for gender determination.
• Previous studies show DNA from teeth exposed to extreme temperatures can yield gender, but data on freezing temperatures is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the isolation of the SRY gene from dental pulp of teeth subjected to varying temperatures for gender identification.
• To assess the reliability of dental pulp as a DNA source for forensic gender determination under diverse environmental conditions.

Main Methods:

• Thirty human teeth with vital pulps were divided into three groups and exposed to room, high, or freezing temperatures for three weeks.
• DNA was isolated from the dental pulp, and the SRY gene was amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
• Sensitivity and Specificity of SRY gene detection for gender identification were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The SRY gene was successfully amplified from dental pulp tissue exposed to various temperatures.
• Accurate gender identification was achieved with 46.70% Sensitivity and 93.30% Specificity.
• A significant correlation was observed between SRY gene expression and gender across the tested temperature groups (p = 1.000).

Conclusions:

• Dental pulp is a reliable source for DNA extraction and SRY gene amplification from teeth exposed to diverse environmental conditions.
• The findings support the potential application of this method in forensic gender identification.
• Further research is needed to fully validate its forensic applications.