Y Chromosome analysis is not useful..........

During Y-STR analyses, genetic abnormalities—such as duplications or deletions—can complicate data interpretation. It is important to keep in mind the possibility of rearrangements involving Y-STRs used in forensic investigations, especially when more than one peak is present in a Y single-copy locus. In fact these alterations could address to a wrong mixed (originated from two or more individuals) DNA profile interpretation. In a routine paternity testing, it was found that a father/son pair with double peaks at two loci. Both these markers are included in a commercially available kit used in forensic genetics. One locus is also included in  SWGDAM-recommended Y-STR panel. Moreover, since both these markers map in AZFa region, samples were analyzed to clarify a possible relationship between this Y-STR profile and infertility. For the same reason, two half-brothers involved in a deficiency paternity testing with null allele at DYS448  locus, were analyzed for AZFc region deletions. Since DYS448 null types were already described, these samples were compared with the literature data. A null Y-STR locus should not
represent a problemfor profile interpretation,more than one peak at one or more loci could lead up to a  deep misinterpreting of a profile and therefore from which kind of sample the profile come out

How DNA analysis confirmed Osama bin Laden’s death ?

Though the world''s most wanted man Osama bin Laden was killed during a raid on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on 2 May, his body was identified after a series of investigation.

According to the US Government, his death was confirmed by comparison to photographs, confirmation from one of his wives at the compound, facial-recognition software, and - the gold standard for identification - DNA analysis, reports New Scientist.

John Brennan, assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, said the DNA evidence provided a match with "99.9 per cent confidence".

That would require the comparison of DNA from the body with that of people known to be related to bin Laden. Bin Laden had no full siblings, but more than 50 half-siblings and up to 24 children.

Using DNA from many half-siblings could produce a DNA match of greater than 90 per cent confidence, but it would be difficult to get as high as 99.9 per cent without a closer relative said Rhonda Roby, a forensic geneticist at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth.

Roby, who led the team using DNA evidence to identify the remains of people killed in the 9/11 attacks in 2001, said that the statistical analysis based on DNA from half-siblings is more complex and less reliable than analysis based on DNA from a closer relative like a parent or child.

Reports indicated that one of bin Laden''s sons was also killed in the raid, possibly 20-year-old Hamza bin Laden.

Roby said DNA from a son and several half-siblings could confirm Osama''s identity with 99.9 per cent accuracy.

If, however, the government was able to obtain DNA from bin Laden''s body, his son and also that son''s biological mother - who might have been at the compound during the raid, it could perform DNA profiling with a "full paternity trio", assuring 99.9 per cent accuracy, she added.

How can we believe other DNA reports from FSL, Hyderabad

The recent news about corruption in Hyderabad FSL involving the DNA expert Mr Venkanna, adds to the list of corrupt institutions within India. The article and YouTube link is given for you to get updated.

http://www.hydjournal.com/headlineNews.php?id=896

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2f9Rk6bBXY


This is the second episode within 3 months after a Headlines Today expose showed how officials at Lucknow's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) are ready to fudge reports in return for money.This is a very disturbing situation and different from other corrupt practises since a fudged report from a FSL can lead to a life and death situation. Further false convictions and undeserved acquittals can also result. Under such circumstances, I wonder whether it would be right on the part of the Judiciary and the persons involved to believe the DNA reports issued from FSL Hyd. Now the criminals would get all the defense to thrash other experts from FSL Hyderabad on this matter. No expert can stand upto a strong cross examination to prove that his or her report was not influenced. It needs a lot of integrity and expertise to do that. My recent article in Criminal Law Journal also mentioned how DNA reports were improperly issued on samples which did not yield any DNA. More over the accused official of FSL Hyderabad has also mentioned that his Joint Director was also expecting money.Imagine that for dispatching the report Mr Venkanna allegedly demanded Rs 12000/- then how much he would have demanded and accumulated for fudging the results and giving false reports. Wish I could cross examine him in any one case and I could bring out more facts from him in the Court. Any amount of explanations made by the FSL Hyd are not sufficient.

All the right thinking persons who are in this medicolegal profession need to impress the Judiciary that all the DNA reports issued under the signature of Mr Venkanna need to put to retest in another laboratory, preferably abroad, to prove that his analysis and reports were not biased. The cost should be borne by the Government because no innocent should go to jail because of such corrupt establishment and officials. In case that is not possible then a decision needs to be taken that further criminal and civil trials should be conducted on other material facts of a case excluding the DNA report of Mr Venkanna.

Please raise a voice against such corruption which is playing with the lives of the innocent and file appropriate petitions in relevant cases to avoid innocents from suffering.