To determining the postmortem interval (PMI) through quantitative analysis of the DNA degradation of cell nucleus in human brain and spleen by using image analysis technique (IAT). The brain and spleen tissues from 32 cadavers with known PMI were collected, subjected to cell smear every 1 h within the first 5-36 h after death, stained by Feulgen-Van's staining, Three indices reflecting DNA in brain cells (astrocytes) and splenic lymphocytes, including integral optical density (IOD), average optical density (AOD), average gray (AG) were measured by employing the mage analysis instrument. The results showed that IOD and AOD declined and AG increased with the prolongation of dead time within 5-36 h. A correlation between the PMI and gray parameters (IOD, AOD and AG) was identified and the corresponding regression equation was obtained. The parameters (IOD, AOD and AG) were proved to be effective quantitative indicators for accurate estimation of PMI within 5-36 h after death.
Cell Nucleus/*pathology ; DNA Degradation, Necrotic ; Forensic Pathology ; Liver/*pathology ; Postmortem Changes ; Spleen/*pathology ; Time Factors

As the most popular and important inherited marker used in forensic identification, short tandem repeat (STR) always have partial DNA profiling or even no results when handling degraded or minute DNA sample. Through redesigning primers close to STR core repeats, MiniSTR can access shorter STR loci and increase success rate of DNA profiling in degraded or minute DNA sample. The review provides an update on the advancement of miniSTR research to give information in the practice of forensic science.
DNA Degradation, Necrotic ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; DNA Primers ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genetic Markers ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

It's always a challenge to type from highly degraded biological remains. PCR-based STR genotyping is helpful and valuable for such degraded samples like bones, teeth et al, but the typing results are sometimes unstable or wrong. Here the methods for solving the problems and improving reproducibility are reviewed.
Bone and Bones ; DNA/analysis* ; DNA Degradation, Necrotic ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Genetic Markers ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; Tooth/chemistry*

Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the difficult problems in forensic medicine. With the development of molecular biological techniques, DNA quantification methods were widely applied in estimating PMI. The postmortem degradation of DNA in different tissues and organs was discussed in this article and the recent DNA quantitative techniques being used for estimating PMI were reviewed. These techniques included single cell gel electrophoresis, Feulgen staining image analysis, flow cytometry.
Animals ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism* ; Comet Assay/methods* ; DNA/analysis* ; DNA Degradation, Necrotic ; Flow Cytometry ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Kidney/pathology* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rosaniline Dyes ; Spleen/pathology* ; Temperature ; Time Factors