[Discovery of genetic polymorphism of human nucleases]

Research into the use of new genetic markers is difficult and costly, but it is necessary for more accurate criminal individualization and paternity testing as well as for analysis of genetic diseases. Recently, we discovered that human ribonuclease (RNase), deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) and deoxyribonuclease II (DNase II) are characteristic markers showing genetic polymorphism and useful for forensic investigation. DNase I is particularly well suited to practical use, since it shows a well-balanced gene frequency, a high concentration in several body fluids (blood, sweat, urine, breast milk and semen) and tissues (pancreas, liver and kidney), stability against severe conditions (exposure of test samples to high temperature, high humidity and long-term storage), and easy and accurate detectability.