DNA perspectives of fixed and paraffin embedded human tissues as resource materials for the identification

Abstract

Abstract In addition to the diagnostic and therapeutic use of excised human tissues in fixatives, the fixed tissues represent an invaluable resource that provide an incredible opportunity for the assessment of genetic studies in situations where subjects are no longer alive. Purposely the fixation serves to prevent the cellular changes as well as a resistance to cellular alterations that occur due to abrupt ligation of circulation during excision. Importantly DNA extracted from these tissues can be used in the identification of a person such as in cases of paternity testing, abduction or soldier missing in action, in crime cases where biological evidence is available for comparison, identifying mismatched specimens for re-evaluation and more outstandingly in insurance cases. However, the DNA recovery from these samples along with its amplification is a challenging task due to various factors thereby limiting the use of these preserved specimens for forensic DNA related investigations. In order to clarify various doubtful reproaches in different cases where justice had to be done from the challenging samples of fixed specimens, the present paper aimed not only on the issues concerning with these invaluable specimens, but also on varied interesting nature of case reports so that better discrimination is achieved in the areas of concern.

Keywords

• Forensic
• DNA analysis
• Paraffin-embedded tissues
• Formalin fixed samples
• Fixation