Recommendations of the Polish-speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG-PL) regarding the disclosure of biological traces and the handling of evidence for identification tests.

The purpose of this paper is to formulate recommendations for the disclosure of biological traces in the laboratory and the handling of forensic evidence submitted for identification tests, recommended by the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. The paper organizes the knowledge of the most relevant stages of preliminary analysis of biological traces based on both literature sources and those resulting from years of research practice. Recommendations formulated in the course of multi-stage expert consultations contained in this study should be used in the development of laboratory procedures applied during the execution.

Recommendations of the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics on forensic Y chromosome typing.

Y chromosome typing has been performed in forensic genetic practice for more than 20 years. The latest recommendations of the DNA Commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) concerning the application of Y-chromosomal markers in forensic genetics were published in 2006. The aim of this report is to recapitulate, systematise and supplement existing recommendations on the forensic analysis of polymorphism of the Y chromosome with standards already implemented in practice, new capabilities linked to the development of research techniques as well as current solutions used in statistical analysis.

Examination of LT-DNA traces - literature overview and general recommendations of the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG-PL).

The available literature on traces characterised by a suboptimal amount of DNA, as well as expert research practice, show the complex nature of LT-DNA traces: from their detection and collection, through genetic analysis, up to the interpretation of final results. The aims of this paper are to systematise the current state of knowledge on handling LT-DNA traces and develop examination guidelines, as recommended by the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG-PL). The proposed guidelines should be followed by all Polish laboratories conducting forensic genetic analyses for the purpose of judicial proceedings.

Recommendations of the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics for forensic mitochondrial DNA testing.

Although mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing has been used in forensic genetics only since the mid-1990s, forensic DNA laboratories have been recently increasing the range of mtDNA sequencing, employing new analytical approaches and methods of data analysis. Therefore, it seems fitting to gather and systematize existing recommendations in the field of mtDNA analysis for forensic purposes, and formulate a set of interpretative guidelines which are especially relevant in view of recent developments in the forensic casework. The starting point is the recommendations of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) which, in the opinion of the Polish Speaking Working Group of the ISFG (ISFG- PL), should be followed by all Polish laboratories conducting forensic testing.

Standardization of research in the field of forensic genetics - the current state in the world and introduction to the guidelines in Poland with reference to the work of the Expert Team for Standards and Assessment in Forensic Genetics of the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG-PL).

The beginnings of forensic genetics, one of the most rapidly growing fields of research, can be traced to Great Britain in 1985. It appeared in Poland in 1989. It uses the most advanced technologies, including the investigation of the variability of the human genome through mass parallel sequencing, which help, among other things, to analyze features of human appearance and origin.

In search for the grave of 100 Poles executed on March 20, 1942 in Zgierz, Poland - research by SIGO (Network for Genetic Identification of Victims).

It can be reasonably assumed that remains exhumed in 2012 and 2013 during archaeological explorations conducted in the Lućmierz Forest, an important area on the map of the German Nazi terror in the region of Lodz (Poland), are in fact the remains of a hundred Poles murdered by the Nazis in Zgierz on March 20, 1942. By virtue of a decision of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance's Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes Against the Polish Nation, the verification of this research hypothesis was entrusted to SIGO (Network for Genetic Identification of Victims) Consortium appointed by virtue of an agreement of December 11, 2015. The Consortium is an extension of the PBGOT (Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarianisms Victims).

Polymorphism of 12 STR loci included in the Investigator HD-plex kit in Polish population of Lodz region.

In this study Polish population data as well as efficiency parameters of 12 STR included in the Investigator HDplex set were presented. This set contains 9 systems not available in any other commercial multiplexes, ie.: D2S1360, D3S1744, D4S2366, D5S2500, D6S474, D7S1517, D8S1132, D10S2325 and D21S2055.

Population database on: D1S1656, D2S441, D2S1338, D3S1358, D8S1179, D10S1248, D22S1045, D12S391, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, FGA, TH01, vWA loci included in NGM system based on one thousand unrelated individuals from Lodz region of Central Poland.

A population data obtained on the basis of sample of 1000 unrelated individuals of Polish ancestry living in Lodz region of Central Poland with use of fluorescent multiplex-PCR and capillary electrophoresis were presented. Evaluation included 15 polymorphic loci DNA - STR from NGM multiplex-PCR set, ie. D1S1656, D2S441, D2S1338, D3S1358, D8S1179, D10S1248, D12S391, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, D22S1045, FGA, TH01, vWA.

Erratum to: Donor age and determine age-related methylation signature of blood after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0257-7.].

Donor age and C1orf132/MIR29B2C determine age-related methylation signature of blood after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Our recent study demonstrated that DNA methylation status in a set of CpGs located in ELOVL2, C1orf132, TRIM59, KLF14, and FHL2 can accurately predict calendar age in blood. In the present work, we used these markers to evaluate the effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on the age-related methylation signature of human blood.

Methods: DNA methylation in 32 CpGs was investigated in 16 donor-recipient pairs using pyrosequencing.

[Genetic analysis of human remains exhumed during archaeological excavations on former military training ground Brus in Lodz].

The aim of this study was the genetic identification of Nazi repression victims. Human remains were found in 2011 in the area of former military training ground BRUS in Lodz. Genetic tests were performed upon the request of the Departmental Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation of the Institute of National Remembrance in Lodz.

Forensic evaluation of the AmpFlSTR® NGM™ loci in Lodz region of Poland population sample.

The paper is focused on population data for 15 polymorphic STR loci included in the NGM(TM) amplification kit, obtained from a sample of 800 individuals from the Lodz region of Poland. Main statistical parameters of forensic interest were calculated and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was verified for each locus. Departure from HWE was not significant after applying Bonferroni corrected significance level for multiple testing (p = 0.

Genetic investigation of biological materials from patients after stem cell transplantation based on autosomal as well as Y-chromosomal markers.

The authors presented the results of DNA polymorphism investigation of blood, buccal swabs and hair follicles originating from patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The real-time and multiplex assays based on polymerase chain reaction within the range of autosomal as well as Y-chromosomal markers were applied to assess the possible dangers arising from investigation of these materials in forensic genetics. The results revealed that not only post-transplant blood and buccal swab, but also recipient hair, up to now regarded as devoid of any donor's cells, do not constitute entirely safe material for forensic purposes.

[Y-STR Poland--a database for evaluation of evidence value in forensic genetics].

The "Y-STR Poland" is a multicenter project, the aim of which is the construction of a widely available database of Y chromosome haplotypes determined in the Polish population in a range of sixteen loci in AmpFISTR Y-filer system. The database will be regularly updated and it will be used in assessment of evidence value in forensic genetics. The starting base "Y-STR Poland" contains 1600 Y-STR haplotypes and encompasses data collected in Lodz (two independent centers), Warsaw and Szczecin regions.

[Application of the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit and Prepfiler Forensic DNA Extraction Kit in genomic DNA extraction from skeletal remains].

The report presents an application of the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit and PrepFiler Forensic DNA Extraction Kit in genomic DNA extraction from post-mortem highly degraded skeletal remains. The analysis included 25 bone samples collected on autopsy. DNA extraction was performed in accordance with the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit and PrepFiler Forensic DNA Extraction Kit manufacturer's isolation protocols.

[The usefulness of SNP markers for analyses of highly degraded biological materials].

The most common cause of problems associated with analyzing DNA extracted from forensic samples is their high level of degradation. Such difficulties are caused by the fact that STR markers have too large amplicon sizes to be amplified in degraded DNA samples. Thus, it is necessary to employ more efficient markers for analyzing evidential samples.

[Association of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene polymorphism with schizophrenia in the population of central Poland].

Aim: The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of the polymorphism in TH01 locus-- tetranucleotide microsatellite region located in the first intron of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene (TH) between a group of Polish patients suffering for schizophrenia and their regionally matched healthy subjects.

Method: One hundred patients affected by paranoid schizophrenia and healthy individuals with negative family history of psychiatric disorders as control, were investigated. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood, amplification of TH01 locus was carried out using the following sequences of primers: 5'-GTG GGC TGAAAAGCT CCCGAT TAT-3', 5'-ATT CAA AGG GTA TCT GGG CTC TGG-3', PCR products were detected on the ABI Prism 377 sequencer.

[Antioxidative enzymes--structure, properties, functions].

In physiological condition mammalian cells produce a small amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which influence biological processes. At high concentration ROS are the mediator of damage to lipids, protein and nucleic acids. Exposure to free radicals has led organisms to develop series of defense mechanism that can protect against oxidative stress.

[The central Poland population database of 500 SNP alleles].

SNP analysis is one of the most contemporary methods for personal identification in forensic genetics. It is increasingly more frequently used in forensic practice, especially for analyses of highly degraded DNA samples from crime scenes and thus it requires suitable population data. The aim of this study was to develop a central Poland population database consisting of 500 alleles in a range of 5 SNP biallelic loci (rs2294067, rs2282160, rs2070764, rs2277216, rs1063739).

Sequence analysis of a new short tandem repeat locus D17S2266E located in the human growth hormone gene cluster HumGH@.

D17S2266E is a new, variable genetic marker exhibiting polymorphism of the number of repeats of four- and two-nucleotide motifs. This study, carried out on a group of 250 unrelated persons from various regions of Poland, revealed the presence of 24 different alleles ranging in size from 232 to 290 base pairs. Analysis of the sequenced fragments demonstrated that the alleles consisted of two flanking regions and two variable blocks that were separated by a consensus sequence.

[SNP pentaplex--the allele frequency database of central Poland population].

SNP analysis is among the most contemporary method for personal identification in forensic genetics, especially in analyses of untypical cases and in studies of degraded DNA samples from crime scenes. This paper shows the results of Central Poland population studies carried out using minisequencing and SNP-pentaplex, which contains 5 biallelic loci rs2294067, rs2282160, rs2070764, rs2277216 and rs1063739. DNA fragments were amplified in one multiplex PCR reaction and SNPs were identified by the minisequencing method.

[Genetic identification of an osseous material dating from diverse historical periods].

Introduction: Bad quality and slender amount of the material at our disposal during identity examination and ever growing number of expired and difficult identity cases compelled us to examine: 1) amplification grade and amount of human DNA in degraded biological material originating from diverse environments and historical periods; 20 operating mode in case of biological material from its preparation through isolation, amplification till interpretation of the achieved results; 3) usefulness of the accepted identification and amplification method while creating an identification procedure pattern in case of strongly decayed material.

Materials And Methods: The research material were samples isolated from: bone fragments collected from grave crypts, bone fragments collected during autopsies performed in the Forensic Medicine Institute PMA and during exhumations. DNA isolation was done by means of modified osseous DNA preparation method proposed by Zołedziewska and Dobosz.