Abstract
The potential and reliability of DNA analysis for the identification of human remains are demonstrated by the study of a recent bone sample, which represented a documented case of sickle cell anemia. β-globin gene sequences obtained from the specimen revealed homozygosity for the sickle cell mutation, proving the authenticity of the retrieved residual DNA. Further investigation of mitochondrial and Y chromosome DNA polymorphic markers indicated that this sample came from a male of maternal West African (possibly Yoruban) and paternal Bantu lineages. The medical record, which became available after the DNA analyses had been completed, revealed that it belonged to a Jamaican black male. These findings are consistent with this individual being a descendent of Africans brought to Jamaica during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This study exemplifies how a 'reverse population genetics' approach can be applied to reconstruct a genetic profile from a bone specimen of an unknown individual. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 153-163 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | American Journal of Physical Anthropology |
Volume | 111 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2000 |
Keywords
- β-globin gene
- Ancient DNA
- Mitochondrial DNA
- Sex identification
- Sickle cell anemia
- Y chromosome polymorphic markers