Comparison of DNA extraction methods for identification of human remains

After mass disasters, where the bodies of victims have been degraded, soft tissues are often completely lost, with the result that bones and teeth are all that remain for identification. The aim of this study was to investigate three DNA extraction methods that are currently used with degraded bones in forensic contexts: a silica-based extraction protocol used by the International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP), a total demineralisation method used by the US Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) and a standard organic DNA extraction method used by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The methods were compared by real-time PCR quantitation and STR profiling. The silica and organic methods were not significantly different for either of these measures for bone but were both significantly more successful than the demineralisation method. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was found to significantly improve the DNA yields from real-time PCR and the number of reportable alleles from STR typing, especially when using bone samples.