Microsatellites of Mites in Forensics

Abstract

For the forensic application in non-human biological trace evidence, an optimal DNA extraction method using bead beating was investigated using four different mite species. The size, density, and shape of various beads were analysed. The characteristics of the individual mite species turned out to be much more of relevance than the physical characteristics and material of the beads for the extraction of DNA.
Based on whole genome sequencing, one hundred and two microsatellites were designed for the American house dust mite species, Dermatophagoides farina (Acari: Acariformes: Pyroglyphidae), ranging from microsatellites with dinucleotide repeats to decanucleotide repeats.
These microsatellites of D. farina showed a 87 % overall conservation in the genome of its sister species, the European house dust mite, D. pteronyssinus, proving that that for closely related species, microsatellites can be applied from neighbouring species.
Finally, the communication of experimental results in the forensic literature was examined. Over a four-year period, the complete cannon of current research journals covering biological aspects of forensic sciences and legal medicine was investigated for evidence of predatory publishing, resulting in a white list of core journals, and of specialised, National, and newly published journals free from evidence of predatory behaviour.

Date of Award	31 Jul 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Bangor University
Sponsors	Ministry of Higher Education KSA
Supervisor	Henk Braig (Supervisor)