Application of Restriction Landmark Genomic Scanning (RLGS) to paternity tests and personal identification

Materials & Methods: RLGS method was carried out using genomic DNA from the following samples; (1) blood samples from 2 unrelated Japanese, (2) blood samples from 3 familial Japanese (3) blood samples from a Japanese, after 0 hour, 3 days and 5 days postmortem at 4 degrees C Objective: Restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS) has been developed in Japan to scan genomes with the highest degree of accuracy possible. The RLGS method employs direct-end labeling of a genome digested by restriction enzymes and then subjected to high-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis. The purpose of this report is to investigate the possibility of forensic application of RLGS. Result: As a result of its application in paternity tests and personal identification, common spots was recognized in the electrophoresis from Japanese familial samples and identified. The dependent specific spots were recognized from the two unrelated Japanese. The coincidental rate of common spots in Japanese familial samples was higher (97%) than those in unrelated personal samples (92%). As a result of the application in analysis of the postmortem interval, the number of spots was shown not to depend on the time interval after blood sampling. Conclusion: This study proposes the application of RLGS to paternity tests and forensic personal identification and the necessity of modification of RLGS to the analysis of postmortem time phenomenon.