Forensic DNA Investigation of Incest and Murder Using GlobalFiler™ and YFiler Plus™ Kits
Article content
Abstract
Incest is a sexual activity between close biological relatives prohibited from getting married due to customs or law. This study examines a forensic case involving a brother and sister, where specialized forensic procedures were applied. DNA samples play a vital role in forensic investigations, where they can provide critical evidence for identifying perpetrators. Biological samples were taken from the victim, the suspect, and crime scene evidence (a pair of male pants and a female scarf). DNA extraction was performed using EZ1&2® DNA Investigator Kits, and quantified by the Quantifiler Trio DNA Quantification Kit. Amplification was performed using both the GlobalFilerTM PCR Amplification Kit and the YFiler plusTM PCR Amplification Kit. The PCR products were analysed using a SeqStudio Genetic Analyser, and the data were interpreted with GeneMapper ID-X software version 1.3.
DNA profiles were successfully obtained from the reference samples (victim and suspect) and from bloodstains on a pair of male pants, and the profiles matched the victim's profile using the GlobalFiler™ kit. The profile from the headscarf yielded a mixed profile which made it difficult to compare the suspect’s profile. Therefore YFiler Plus™ kit was used to profile both the sample from the head scarf and suspect which yielded completely matching profiles.
Trace samples recovered from crime scenes are critical for resolving forensic cases.
Keywords
Forensic DNA, Incest, GlobalFiler Kit, YFiler Plus Kit, SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer, forensic sciences
Downloads
References
Salman NF, Mahmood HK, Hussain EA. Statistical Calculations in Case of Brother-Sister Incest. Aust J Forensic Sci Med. 2019;10:1467–72.
Mahdi RM, Hussain DA. Forensic Approach Analysis of Multipartner (STR) for Identifying the Suspects in Iraqi Sexual Assault Cases: A Case Study. Eur J Mol Clin Med [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 May 22];7(2):168–76.
González B, Mercado M, Salas O, Reyes J, Ramos M, Esquive E, et al. Biological Evidence Analysis in Cases of Sexual Assault. Creative Commons; 2019.
Chunkul S, Sathirapatya T, Dangklao P, Kawicha P, Tammachote R, Vongpaisarnsin K. Enhancing the forensic sexual assault investigations with LAMP-based male DNA detection. Forensic Sci Int Synergy. 2025;10:100567.
Hochmeister MN, Budowle B, Rudin O, Gehrig C, Borer U, Thali M, et al. Evaluation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) membrane test assays for the forensic identification of seminal fluid. J Forensic Sci. 1999;44(5):1057–60.
Laffan A, Quinton SI, Iddenden DB. Evaluation of semen presumptive tests for use at crime scenes. Med Sci Law. 2011;51(1):11–17.
Butler JM. Forensic DNA Typing: Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers. 2nd ed. New York: Academic Press; 2005.
McLean IA. An integrated system for forensic DNA testing of sexual assault cases in the Philippines. Forensic Sci Int Synergy [Internet]. 2021;3:100133.
Unuma K, Sato H, Wen S, Makino Y, Hirakawa A, Uemura K. The proportion of false-positives in positive Seratec® prostate-specific antigen SemiQuant test results in postmortem screening for seminal fluid. Leg Med. 2023;62:102243.
SERATEC® Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH. Seratec PSA Semiquant- instructions for use. Göttingen, Germany; 2025.
Applied Biosystems. Yfiler Plus PCR Amplification Kit user guide. Publication Part Number 4485354. Foster City (CA): Thermo Fisher Scientific; 2019.
Applied Biosystems. GlobalFiler and GlobalFiler IQC PCR Amplification Kits user guide. Foster City (CA): Thermo Fisher Scientific; 2025.
Qiagen. EZ1&2 DNA Investigator Kit handbook: For automated purification of DNA from forensic and human ID samples using EZ1 instruments. 2nd ed. Hilden, Germany: Qiagen; 2025.
Applied Biosystems. Quantifiler HP and Trio DNA Quantification Kits user guide. Pub. No. 4485354 Rev. H. Foster City (CA): Thermo Fisher Scientific; 2018.
Applied Biosystems. SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer instrument and software user guide. Pub. No. MAN0018646 Rev. C. Foster City (CA): Thermo Fisher Scientific; 2024.
Applied Biosystems. GeneMapper ID-X Software version 1.3: Verification experiments and installation procedures. Pub. No. 4470483 Rev. A. Foster City (CA): Thermo Fisher Scientific; 2011.
Article details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
You must read and accept the copyright terms and conditions(click here for copyright terms).