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Background
Background
There are many factors that affect the
integrity of DNA evidence from remains
found in water
Limited research so far on how long DNA
can be preserved in water
Definitions
http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/10/24/fresh%20water-jj-001.jpg
Concentration (mol/kg)
53.6
ClNa+
Mg2+
SO42-
0.546
0.469
0.0528
0.0282
Ca2+
K+
CT
0.0103
0.0102
0.00206
BrBT
0.000844
0.000416
Sr2+
F-
0.000091
0.000068
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seawater
OBrien, et al.
OBrien, et al.
Body at 4 weeks
OBrien, et al.
Body at 7 weeks
OBrien, et al.
Body at 12 weeks
OBrien, et al.
Byard, et al.
Byard, et al.
Discussion
Water can preserve DNA evidence in most
cases
The most important factor in the recovery
of DNA evidence from submerged remains
seems to be time
However, it can sometimes complicate
dataespecially in mass disaster
investigations (Southeast Asian tsunami)
Conclusions
DNA identification by itself is not fully
reliable from human remains found in
aqueous environments
Important for other metadata to be
incorporated, such as dental identification,
anthropological studies
Further research needs to be done
Bibliography
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Questions?
http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/op/cen/rec/images/scenic_lake2.jpg