Qualitative and quantitative assesment of biological traces in forensic DNA analysis

Ćelije kože ostavljene na površini bilo kog predmeta nakon kontakta sa njim mogu biti izvor DNK materijala. Ova vrsta biološkog materijala, u odnosu na količinu DNK koju je moguće izolovati iz nje, obično je mnogo manje izdašna u odnosu na tragove koji se rutinski analiziraju (krv, semena tečnost, pljuvačka). Iako visoko osetljive tehnike analize omogućavaju dobijanje rezultata iz minimalnih količina DNK, još uvek postoje znatne poteškoće u radu sa ovakvim uzorcima, i to iz više razloga. Različit kvalitet i kvantitet izolovane DNK, te posebno izraženi stohastički efekti samo su neki od njih. Zbog toga je proces analize DNK materijala izolovan iz ovakvih uzoraka posebno kompleksan. Biološki uzorci ove vrste se vrlo često nalaze u izuzetno malim količinama (doslovno tragovima), što se postojećim rutinskim metodama analize DNK ne mogu pouzdano interpretirati. U cilju poboljšavanja rezultata analize DNK materijala dobijenog izolovanjem biološkog materijala zaostalog na površini dodirnutih predmeta, analizirano je više od 700 otisaka prstiju. Svaki korak procesa je testiran posebno u cilju dobijanja STR profila koji su bar 70% kompletni, te stoga mogu biti uneti u baze podataka. Kompletnost profila je određivana na osnovu broja dobijenih alela iz 15 testiranih lokusa (najviše moguće 30 alela). Testirani su sledeći koraci u proceduri dobijanja DNK profila: prikupljanje uzoraka, izolovanje DNK, umnožavanje STR lokusa kao i detekcija proizvoda umnožavanja kapilarnom elektroforezom. Ćelije su prikupljene korišćenjem mikrosfera, lepljivih traka, lepila ili pamučnih briseva natopljenih različitim rastvorima. DNK materijal je izolovan korišćenjem interno razvijenih metoda i/ili komercijalno dostupnih kompleta hemikalija za njenu izolaciju. Izolovana DNK je umnožavana Identifiler® kompletom, korišćenjem različitog broja PCR ciklusa...Skin flakes left on an object after it has been touched or handled could be a source of DNA. These skin flakes tend to be deposited in considerably smaller amounts than from routinely tested cells of blood, semen or saliva. Although, highly sensitive DNA analysis procedures are able to provide results from trace amounts of DNA there are still some fundamental difficulties inherent to these samples, including variability in quality and quantity of extracted DNA and exaggerated stochastic effects, making it hard to reliably interpret DNA profiles of these samples. These types of samples could also carry skin flakes in trace, which currently applied methodology of testing frequently cannot interpret. In order to improve the results from touched DNA samples, over 700 fingerprints were tested. Each step of the workflow for genotyping was assessed with the goal to generate STR profiles that were at least 70% complete and therefore database eligible. The profiles were calculated from the number of obtained alleles with a maximum of 30 for the 15 amplified STR loci. The steps evaluated in the workflow included sample collection, DNA extraction, STR amplification and detection utilizing capillary electrophoresis. Cells were collected using microglobes, tapes, glues, or cotton swabs moistened with different solutions. DNA extraction was assessed with methods designed in the laboratory and commercially available extraction kits. Extracted DNA was amplified with Identifiler® kits using various number of PCR cycles. These comparisons led to the best method that generated a database eligible STR profiles from almost 70% of tested fingerprints. This method suggested collection of fingerprints by swabbing with cotton swab moistened in detergent solution, then extracting DNA using a commercially available extraction kit that uses enzyme activated at a high temperature, followed by amplification at higher PCR cycle number and analysis at longer injection time and higher voltage during capillary electrophoresis..

What We Can Learn About Appeals From Mr. Tillman\u27s Case: More Lessons From Another DNA Exoneration

In 2006, Mr. James Calvin Tillman became the first person in Connecticut to be exonerated through the use of post-conviction DNA testing. He joined a group of DNA exonerees that currently numbers more than 200 nationwide. In many ways, Mr. Tillman\u27s case is a paradigmatic DNA exoneration-involving a cross-racial mistaken eyewitness identification, issues of race, and faulty forensic testimony. This Article uses the published opinions affirming Mr. Tillman\u27s conviction-particularly his direct appeal to the Connecticut Supreme Court, and his appeal from the state habeas proceeding-to reflect on the meaning of appellate and postconviction proceedings. Does Mr. Tillman\u27s exoneration reveal any problems with appellate litigation, or is it the product of mistakes in investigation and adjudication that are beyond the purview of appellate courts? There is no question that the root causes of Mr. Tillman\u27s wrongful conviction must be addressed at the investigatory and trial level. In this Article, the Author argues that state appeals courts play an important role in signaling the types of issues that should concern judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. Certain features of appellate review that appear in the Tillman opinions-heavy reliance on tools that the Author describes loosely as harm-type and preservation-type analyses, as well as deferential ineffective assistance of counsel standards---can contribute over the long-term to local criminal justice cultures that fail to guard adequately against wrongful convictions

What We Can Learn About Appeals From Mr. Tillman\u27s Case: More Lessons From Another DNA Exoneration

In 2006, Mr. James Calvin Tillman became the first person in Connecticut to be exonerated through the use of post-conviction DNA testing. He joined a group of DNA exonerees that currently numbers more than 200 nationwide. In many ways, Mr. Tillman\u27s case is a paradigmatic DNA exoneration-involving a cross-racial mistaken eyewitness identification, issues of race, and faulty forensic testimony. This Article uses the published opinions affirming Mr. Tillman\u27s conviction-particularly his direct appeal to the Connecticut Supreme Court, and his appeal from the state habeas proceeding-to reflect on the meaning of appellate and postconviction proceedings. Does Mr. Tillman\u27s exoneration reveal any problems with appellate litigation, or is it the product of mistakes in investigation and adjudication that are beyond the purview of appellate courts? There is no question that the root causes of Mr. Tillman\u27s wrongful conviction must be addressed at the investigatory and trial level. In this Article, the Author argues that state appeals courts play an important role in signaling the types of issues that should concern judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. Certain features of appellate review that appear in the Tillman opinions-heavy reliance on tools that the Author describes loosely as harm-type and preservation-type analyses, as well as deferential ineffective assistance of counsel standards---can contribute over the long-term to local criminal justice cultures that fail to guard adequately against wrongful convictions

MediaSync: Handbook on Multimedia Synchronization

This book provides an approachable overview of the most recent advances in the fascinating field of media synchronization (mediasync), gathering contributions from the most representative and influential experts. Understanding the challenges of this field in the current multi-sensory, multi-device, and multi-protocol world is not an easy task. The book revisits the foundations of mediasync, including theoretical frameworks and models, highlights ongoing research efforts, like hybrid broadband broadcast (HBB) delivery and users' perception modeling (i.e., Quality of Experience or QoE), and paves the way for the future (e.g., towards the deployment of multi-sensory and ultra-realistic experiences). Although many advances around mediasync have been devised and deployed, this area of research is getting renewed attention to overcome remaining challenges in the next-generation (heterogeneous and ubiquitous) media ecosystem. Given the significant advances in this research area, its current relevance and the multiple disciplines it involves, the availability of a reference book on mediasync becomes necessary. This book fills the gap in this context. In particular, it addresses key aspects and reviews the most relevant contributions within the mediasync research space, from different perspectives. Mediasync: Handbook on Multimedia Synchronization is the perfect companion for scholars and practitioners that want to acquire strong knowledge about this research area, and also approach the challenges behind ensuring the best mediated experiences, by providing the adequate synchronization between the media elements that constitute these experiences