Forensic dentistry is often used for the identification of human remains, especially in cases where tissue destruction has occurred following exposure to adverse conditions. Gender determination is important for early identification since this immediately excludes approximately half of the population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess our ability to identify human gender from incinerated deciduous teeth, based on PCR analysis of human amelogenin sequences. Methods: Human deciduous molar teeth (n=58; balanced extractions) were exposed to a range of incineration conditions (100-300ºC for 15 or 30 min) and then fragmented to allow removal of the pulp tissue. DNA was extracted from pulp tissue using the QIAamp DNA mini kit (Qiagen, Crawley, UK) and used as the template in two separate PCRs targeting the human amelogenin gene. Both PCRs used primers specific for exonic amelogenin gene sequences and reactions were designed to incorporate variable intronic regions within the PCR product. Results: PCR products were detected from all samples heated at 200ºC or lower, but no product was evident at higher temperatures. Correct gender identification was evident in all samples where product was detected. Male samples amplified with SULI and SULII primers gave two PCR products (106-bp and 112-bp) compared with a 112-bp product with female DNA. Similarly, Amel-FP, Amel-XRP and Amel-YRP primers produced a single 330-bp female product and two products of 330-bp and 236-bp with male DNA. Conclusion: PCR of the amelogenin gene using DNA from deciduous tooth pulp was a reliable method of gender determination. The ability to detect PCR products from deciduous teeth heated to 200ºC for 30 min indicates the potential value of the technique in the identification of child fire victims.

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