Teeth and bone have been used in DNA analysis for human identification where positive identification by conventional means is not practical due to decomposition and destruction of the soft tissue. However, tissue in pulp chamber is easily accessed and removed for DNA extraction than from bone. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the alteration of DNA fingerprint from dental pulp tissue in high temperature condition, ranging from 550 to 850 degree Celsius, which soft tissue would be inappropriate. Methods: Prior to the incineration, each tooth was placed in investment block and wrapped by 1 cm.-width pork sheath to mimic the real case. Five teeth at each temperature were heated at 700, 750, 800, 850 degree Celsius for 10 minutes and 550, 600, 650, 700 degree Celsius for 20 minutes. Individual teeth were vertically fractured and pulp tissue was removed for DNA extraction. Sequence specific primer for amelogenin locus and nine short tandem repeat loci (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820) were amplified. Then, amplification products were fractionated and analyzed by automate sequencer, ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer (PE Applied Biosystems, USA). Results: The results showed that DNA extracted from heated dental pulp tissue between 700-750 degree Celsius for 10 minutes and 550-600 degree Celsius for 20 minutes was typed successfully at all 10 loci. Above 800 degree Celsius for 10 minutes or 650 degree Celsius for 20 minutes, heated dental pulp tissue yielded no PCR product and typing result. Conclusions: This study suggested that DNA from heated dental pulp tissue, up to 800 degree Celsius for 10 minutes or 650 degree Celsius for 20 minutes could yield DNA fingerprint results for positive human identification. Mahidol University Research Grant 1999.

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