Canale,L.C.; Parson,W.; Holland,M.M.; Mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequence analysis is useful for assessing ancestral origin and migration, identifying human remains, and examining evidentiary material in forensic casework. Conventional Sanger-type sequencing (STS) has been used for more than three decades to address these interests. This paper reviews the methodologies and merits of using a massively parallel sequencing (MPS) approach for mtDNA testing in forensic laboratories, as The Time is Now for Ubiquitous Forensic mtMPS Analysis. [Read More]

Aaspollu,A.; Allmae,R.; Puss,F.; Parson,W.; Pihkva,K.; Kriiska-Maivali,K.; Unt,A.; The identification of human remains is challenging mostly due to the bad condition of the remains and the available background information that is sometimes limited. The current case report is related to the identification of an unknown soldier from the Estonian War of Independence (1918-1920). The case includes an anthropological study of the remains, examinations of documents found with the exhumed remains, and kinship estimations based on archival documents, and DNA analyses. [Read More]

Pallua,J.D.; Unterberger,S.H.; Pallua,A.F.; Pfaller,K.; Pallua,A.K.; Putzer,D.; Poder,R.; Kirchmair,M.; In this study, the potential of focus-variation microscopic imaging was evaluated in a study of morphological patterns of the potential medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides (Basidiomycota). We created three-dimensional reconstructions and visualizations using the imaging technique on a fresh H. coralloides basidioma. The aim was to approximate the spore dispersal efficiency of this basidiomata type regarding the investment of tissue biomass and its reproductive output (production of basidiospores). [Read More]

Berger,C.; Heinrich,J.; Berger,B.; Hecht,W.; Parson,W.; OnBehalfOfCaDNAP; The popularity of dogs as human companions explains why these pets regularly come into focus in forensic cases such as bite attacks or accidents. Canine evidence, e.g., dog hairs, can also act as a link between the victim and suspect in a crime case due to the close contact between dogs and their owners. In line with human DNA identification, dog individualization from crime scene evidence is mainly based on the analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) markers. [Read More]

Caballero-Casero,Noelia; Belova,Lidia; Vervliet,Philippe; Antignac,Jean-Philippe; Castaño,Argelia; Debrauwer,Laurent; López,MartaEsteban; Huber,Carolin; Klanova,Jana; Krauss,Martin; Lommen,Arjen; Mol,HansG.J.; Oberacher,Herbert; Pardo,Olga; Price,ElliottJ.; Reinstadler,Vera; Vitale,ChiaraMaria; vanNuijs,AlexanderL.N.; Covaci,Adrian; Although the exposure assessment of chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) has taken a decisive step forward through advances in (bio)informatics, statistics, and the development of highly sophisticated analytical instruments, the lack of standardisation and harmonisation of analytical workflows and method performance assessment for suspect and non-target screening hampers the interpretation of results, their comparability and thus, its transmission to policymakers. [Read More]