Salt River Mortuary (SRM), Cape Town, investigates ~3500 cases of unnatural death annually, with an apparent burden of unclaimed bodies. A retrospective review was first undertaken to assess the number of these individuals who remained unidentified. Medicolegal records were examined (2010-2017), and ~9% of cases remained unidentified each year. DNA analysis was performed in 23.5% of cases. At the time of this study, unidentified bodies were in storage for up to two years, pending pauper burial. DNA profiling assists forensic human identification, and the analysis of markers on the Y-chromosome has particular importance in kinship analysis. To evaluate the statistical probability of DNA profiles matching between samples, reference data from the background population is required. Such data for the Y-chromosome is lacking for some populations groups in South Africa (SA). As such this study aimed to generate Y-chromosome data relevant to SA. Second to this, the obtainability of DNA profiles from unidentified decedents at SRM, prior to pauper burial, was investigated. Biological samples were obtained from 653 SA individuals (living: n=480; deceased: n=173) belonging to four major population groups. Following internal validation, samples were processed using the Promega PowerPlex® Y23 System. A cohort-representative subset of DNA profiles were also generated using the forensically validated Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) assay on the MiSeq FGx™ system, to assess concordance. Statistical analysis was performed using Arlequin and STATA packages. Full DNA profiles (i.e. haplotypes) were obtained from 626 samples (African: n=183; Coloured: n=170; Indian/Asian: n=111; White: n=162), with 599 haplotypes being unique to a single individual. Following optimisation, haplotypes were obtained from >99% and 85% of living and deceased individuals, respectively. Haplotypes were generated from numerous individuals stored for over one year, and DNA profile quality was not associated with time between death declaration and sample collection. NGS results confirmed the presence of one micro-variant and resolved allele-calling in five instances where the capillary electrophoresis assay was incorrect. Thus, concordance was observed in 98% of loci reviewed. Overall, haplotypes were successfully obtained for four different SA population groups, including refrigerated decedents, even 887 days after death declaration. This demonstrates that DNA profiling can be successful for decedents and efforts should be made to store DNA profiles for the possibility of familial searching and identification, even after burial. Identification of the multitude of unclaimed bodies at forensic facilities nationwide holds immense value for living family members, and provides closure for the acceptance of death and life thereafter.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 133 p.; also includes graphics Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-133). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-82). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Forensic Science, 2008. / "The goal of this research was to identify the person(s) responsible for an IED [improvised explosive device] through post-blast DNA recovery from IED containers"--From abstract. "Advisor, Dr. David Foran"--Acknowledgements. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Aug. 5, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-78). Also issued in print.

published_or_final_version / Statistics and Actuarial Science / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 353-374).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2007. / Adviser: Jack Ballantyne. Includes bibliographical references (p. 273-286). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. School of Criminal Justice , 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 19, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-84). Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Apr. 15, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-65).