STR-genotyping from human medieval tooth and bone samples

Forensic Sci Int. 2005 Jun 30;151(1):31-5. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.07.001.

Abstract

We extracted the DNA contained in samples of bones and teeth from 10 skeletons excavated from the Gravette site (400-1000 AD, south of France). Ancient DNA was analysed by autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs). The DNA present in these ancient remains appeared very degraded, but nevertheless, better conserved in tooth than in bone samples. Moreover, we showed that the DNA extracted from ancient dental pulp was not exempt from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors, which could result from extreme DNA fragmentation. An adapted protocol with a supplementary step of purification removed this inhibition.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amelogenin
  • Bone and Bones / pathology*
  • Child
  • DNA / analysis*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA Fingerprinting / methods*
  • Dental Enamel Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Genotype
  • History, Medieval
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Paleontology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences*
  • Tooth Germ / pathology

Substances

  • Amelogenin
  • Dental Enamel Proteins
  • DNA