[The use of the teeth in genetic fingerprinting]

Blood, hairs and sperm are tissues currently used in forensic science to carry out DNA fingerprints in the field of individual identification. Our study aims at showing that dental pulp can also be an exploitable DNA source. A quantitative and qualitative DNA investigation on a yield gel with sizing extracted from this tissue shows that the molecule appears to be in a great quantity and of a high molecular weight. The last characteristic allows the use of the restriction fragments length polymorphic technique to make DNA fingerprints, based on the individual variations of the restriction sites disposition, within the DNA molecule, for a given enzyme. Thus, for an enzyme, the length of the restriction fragments obtained and revealed by a probe, is visualized by autoradiograph. According to this technique, we compared the DNA fingerprints obtained on 8 persons with the probe MS43A, from both pulpal and nucleated blood cells. During the extraction of the third molar of each sample, a small quantity of blood was taken in the tooth socket. In the same time DNA was recovered. For a same person, the autoradiograph showed the same pattern for both blood and tooth sample. The DNA profile similitude confirms the possibility of using the tooth for genetic analysis. The interest in using dental tissues as a DNA source of individual identification falls within the particular character of resistance of this organ towards physical or chemical exterior aggressions. The tooth which until now was used in Anthropology and Forensic Science for its morphological aspects could be used this way for genetic study.