Current Approaches to DNA Methylation Analysis Methods Used in the Identification of Body Fluids

Öz

Recognized as a key epigenetic mechanism, DNA methylation plays a crucial role not only in gene expression regulation but also in the forensic identification of biological traces collected from crime scenes. DNA methylation markers specific to five major body fluids (peripheral blood, menstrual blood, semen, saliva, and vaginal secretion) enable accurate identification of the source of these biological materials. Unlike conventional methods, DNA methylation analysis provides reliable results even from degraded or low-amount samples. Consequently, DNAm-based profiling approaches are emerging as promising tools for the elucidation of forensic cases, such as sexual assaults or violent crimes. It is anticipated that in the near future, standardized DNA methylation panels integrated with AI (artificial intelligence) will be widely adopted in forensic molecular biology, further enhancing their applicability and reliability.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• DNA methylation
• Biological traces
• Body fluid identification
• Forensic epigenetics
• Markers

Vücut Sıvılarının Kimliklendirilmesinde Kullanılan DNA Metilasyon Analiz Yöntemlerine Güncel Yaklaşımlar

Öz

Epigenetik bir mekanizma olan DNA metilasyonu; yalnızca gen ifadesinin düzenlenmesinde değil, aynı zamanda adli vakalarda olay yerinden elde edilen biyolojik örneklerin kaynağının belirlenmesinde de dikkate değer bir kapasiteye sahiptir. Adli kimliklendirme açısından önem taşıyan beş temel vücut sıvısına (periferik kan, menstrual kan, meni, tükürük, vajinal sekresyon) özgü DNA metilasyon belirteçleri, bu biyolojik materyallerin kaynağının yüksek doğrulukla tespit edilmesine olanak sağlamaktadır. Klasik yöntemlerin duyarlılık ve özgüllük açısından bazı sınırlılıkları bulunurken, DNA metilasyonuna dayalı analizler, az miktarda ya da bozunmuş örneklerde dahi güvenilir sonuçlar vermektedir. Bu bağlamda, DNA metilasyonu temelli profilleme teknikleri; cinsel saldırı, şiddet veya travmatik yaralanma gibi adli vakaların aydınlatılmasında güçlü bir analiz aracı olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Gelecekte, yapay zeka destekli ve standardize edilmiş DNA metilasyon panel sistemlerinin yaygın kullanımda yer alacağı öngörülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• DNA metilasyonu
• Biyolojik kalıntılar
• Vücut sıvılarının kimliklendirilmesi
• Adli epigenetik
• Belirteçler

Kaynakça

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