Case study

HUMAN IDENTIFICATION OF DECAPITATED BODY AND REMAINING OF A HEAD THROUGH COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DNA – CASE REPORT

How to cite: Carneiro APC, Silva GS, Duarte ML. Human identification of decapitated body and remaining of a head through comparative study of dna – case report. Persp Med Legal Perícia Med. 2018; 3(2).

https://dx.doi.org/10.47005/030202
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The authors declares that there is no conflict of interest.

IDENTIFICAÇÃO HUMANA DE CORPO DECAPITADO E REMANESCENTES DE UMA CABEÇA POR ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DE DNA –  RELATO DE CASO

Ana Paula Cavalcante Carneiro (1)

Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/5110008841135951 – ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7100-3351

Gutemberg Souza Silva (2)

Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/7160647758955963 – ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8402-0487

Maria Luisa Duarte (1)

Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/1797072187529809 – ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9030-2720

(1) Instituto Médico Legal Estácio de Lima, Maceió-AL, Brasil. (Main Author)

(2)Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas – UNCISAL, Maceió-AL, Brasil. (Main Author)

E-mail: gutemberg_souza@hotmail.com

 

ABSTRACT

In the routine of Medical Forensic Institutes, cases of bodies, which require an identification process are not rare. Thus, the forensic options are fingerprints, the dental data and genetics analysis and  do anthropological exams. This case aimed to identify both a head and a decapitated body found separately and on different dates sent for forensic examination to the Estácio de Lima’s Medical Forensic Institute in Maceió – Alagoas. The headless body was studied initially and a biological sample was collected from the cadaver’s sternum for possible genetic confrontation. The fingerprints were requested for comparison using the state’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), however, there was an absence of prior registration of the fingerprints. Immediately after the autopsy, an alleged sister of the deceased showed up claiming the body and her samples of oral mucosa cells were collected by two oral swabs. Nine days after the forensic analysis of the body, a forensic analysis was made in the remaining of a human head and three dental elements were collected for genetic comparison, but there were no dental records to compare. The genetic material collected was sent to the Forensic DNA Laboratory of the Universidade Federal de Alagoas. After a period of almost two and a half months, the DNA test results came back positive, which proved that the body and the head belonged to the same person and that the body’s claimant was actually the victim’s sister.

Keywords: forensic anthropology, comparative study, DNA, expert testimony, case studies.

Please click here for the full article in portuguese.

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