Analysis of Human Decomposition Effect on DNA Quality with Short Tandem Repeats [STRS] Combined Index DNA System [CODIS]

Abstract

Introduction: Personal identification is a problem in criminal or civil cases. Exact determination of personal
identity is very important in investigation as any error can be fatal in the judicial process. The process of
identification that is often used is through DNA analysis. The problem that often becomes a serious problem
for both forensic DNA expert and other DNA expert is the condition of degraded DNA.
Method and Materials: This study was conducted by analysing DNA damage patterns using CODIS STR
(Short Tandem Repeat) markers to effect the decay process. The type of research used by experimental
laboratories, with research design used is time series.
Results and Discussion: The result of DNA sample extraction from Psoas and Masseter muscle samples
shows the average minimum range of DNA levels for DNA typing is 0.25 ng with purity of 1.8 – 2(1). The
result of this study prove the effect of decomposition on DNA concentration on each muscle. This study is
also showed a decrease in levels and purity in the samples of Psoas and Masseter muscle tissue buried in soil,
sea/salt water and river/fresh water from day 1, 7, 14, 20 and 40.
Conclusion: Psoas and Masseter muscle can be alternative material for forensic identification. The success
of sequence mapping pattern from STR loci are TPOX, THO1, and CS1PO according to each GC content.
GC content of THO1 and TPOX has the same relative value of 0,48, compared to CSF1PO value of 0,33.