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Oliveira M, Azevedo L, Ballard D, Branicki W, Amorim A. Using plants in forensics: State-of-the-art and prospects. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 336:111860. [PMID: 37683985 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of plant evidence in forensic investigations gave rise to a powerful new discipline - Forensic Botany - that analyses micro- or macroscopic plant materials, such as the totality or fragments of an organ (i.e., leaves, stems, seeds, fruits, roots) and tissue (i.e., pollen grains, spores, fibers, cork) or its chemical composition (i. e., secondary metabolites, isotopes, DNA, starch grains). Forensic botanists frequently use microscopy, chemical analysis, and botanical expertise to identify and interpret evidence crucial to solving civil and criminal issues, collaborating in enforcing laws or regulations, and ensuring public health safeguards. The present work comprehensively examines the current state and future potential of Forensic Botany. The first section conveys the critical steps of plant evidence collection, documentation, and preservation, emphasizing the importance of these initial steps in maintaining the integrity of the items. It explores the different molecular analyses, covering the identification of plant species and varieties or cultivars, and discusses the limitations and challenges of these techniques in forensics. The subsequent section covers the diversity of Forensic Botany approaches, examining how plant evidence exposes food and pharmaceutical frauds, uncovers insufficient or erroneous labeling, traces illegal drug trafficking routes, and combats the illegal collection or trade of protected species and derivatives. National and global security issues, including the implications of biological warfare, bioterrorism, and biocrime are addressed, and a review of the contributions of plant evidence in crime scene investigations is provided, synthesizing a comprehensive overview of the diverse facets of Forensic Botany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Oliveira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Ipatimup - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Luísa Azevedo
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - David Ballard
- King's Forensics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wojciech Branicki
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Institute of Forensic Research, Kraków, Poland
| | - Antonio Amorim
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Ipatimup - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; FCUP - Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Xia R, Tao R, Qu Y, Zhang X, Yu H, Yuan C, Zhang S, Li C. Development and Validation of a Novel and Fast Detection Method for Cannabis sativa: A 19-Plex Short Tandem Repeat Typing System. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:837945. [PMID: 35295633 PMCID: PMC8918947 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.837945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, influenced by the legalization of Cannabis sativa in some countries and regions, the number of people who smoke or abuse C. sativa has continuously grown, cases of transnational C. sativa trafficking have also been increasing. Therefore, fast and accurate identification and source tracking of C. sativa have become urgent social needs. In this study, we developed a new 19-plex short tandem repeats (STRs) typing system for C. sativa, which includes 15 autosomal STRs (D02-CANN1, C11-CANN1, 4910, B01-CANN1, E07-CANN1, 9269, B05-CANN1, H06-CANN2, 5159, nH09, CS1, ANUCS 305, 3735, and ANUCS 302 and 9043), two X-chromosome STRs (ANUCS 501 and 1528), one sex-determining marker (DM016, on Y-chromosome), and a quality control marker (DM029, on autosome). The whole polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process could finish within 1 h, making the system suitable for fast detection. The PCR products were detected and separated with an Applied Biosystems 3500XL Genetic Analyser. Developmental validation studies indicated that the 19-plex typing system was accurate, reliable and sensitive, which could also deconvolute mixed C. sativa samples. Specifically, the sensitivity study showed that a full genotyping profile was obtainable with as low as 125 pg of C. sativa DNA. The species specificity study demonstrated that this multiplex has no cross-reactivity with common non C. sativa DNA. In the population study, a total of 162 alleles at 15 autosomal STRs and 14 alleles at two X-chromosome STRs were detected among 85 samples. The efficiency parameters, including the total discrimination power (TDP) and the combined power of exclusion (CPE) of the system, were calculated to exceed 0.999 999 999 999 988 and 0.998 455 889 684 078, respectively, further proving that the system could meet the needs of individual identification. To the extent of the known studies, this is the first study that included the C. sativa sex-determining marker. In conclusion, the developed new 19-plex STR typing system can successfully achieve the purposes of species identification, gender determination, and individual identification, which could be a powerful tool in tracing trade routes of particular drug syndicates or dealers or in linking certain C. sativa to a crime scene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruocheng Xia
- Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiyang Tao
- Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiling Qu
- Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochun Zhang
- Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Yu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chunyan Yuan
- Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Suhua Zhang
- Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
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Cheng YC, Houston R. Evaluation of the trnK-matK-trnK, ycf3, and accD-psal chloroplast regions to differentiate crop type and biogeographical origin of Cannabis sativa. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:1235-1244. [PMID: 33604694 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02518-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa (marijuana and hemp) is one of the most controversial crops worldwide. In the USA, the state-specific legalization of marijuana and recently legalized hemp pose a problem for law enforcement. This study seeks to utilize chloroplast hSTRs, INDEL, and SNPs markers to develop genotyping methods to aid in the differentiation of legal hemp from illicit marijuana and also for tracking the flow of trafficked marijuana. Three polymorphic regions: trnK-matK-trnK, ycf3, and accD-psal, of the C. sativa chloroplast genome were evaluated in order to distinguish crop type and biogeographic origin. A total of nine polymorphic sites were genotyped from five distinct populations (hemp from the USA and Canada, marijuana from Chile and USA-Mexico, and medical marijuana from Chile) with a custom fragment and SNaPshotTM assay. The study also combined genotype results from the same sample set using 21 additional polymorphic markers from previous studies. The effectiveness of these multi-locus assays to distinguish sample groups was assessed using haplotype analysis, phylogenetic analysis, pairwise comparisons, and principal component analysis. Results indicated a clear separation of Canadian hemp using only the nine polymorphic sites developed in this study. The additional 21 markers were able to separate US hemp from both marijuana groups to a significant level (p < 0.05) when assessing average Fixation Indices (FST). This study demonstrated the applicability of these organelle markers for the determination of crop type and biogeographic origin of C. sativa. However, a more extensive database is needed to evaluate the true discriminatory power of these markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chih Cheng
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd, Huntsville, TX, 77340, USA
| | - Rachel Houston
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd, Huntsville, TX, 77340, USA.
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Geographic origin determination of Brazilian Cannabis sativa L. (Marihuana) by multi-element concentration. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 315:110459. [PMID: 32853973 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Marihuana Polygon production of Cannabis sativa L. supplies the northeastern region of Brazil and represents 30% of the nation's market. The international trend of indoor cultivation is also occurring in Brazil, and the Brazilian Federal Police (BFP) has been increasing its apprehension of cannabis seeds sent by mail. The present work aims to assess the utility of the multi-element composition of different cannabis plant parts and soil samples where the plants were cultivated to determine their geographic origin. Statistical tools were applied to classification of marijuana samples from distinct geographic regions within northeastern Brazil, including indoor cultivated samples. The multi-element quantification was determined using inductively-coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and the data were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis H test, and subsequently, multiple discriminant analysis (MDA). The results of the multi-element concentration of cannabis plant samples were also subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA) and an orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The cannabis plant samples from the Marihuana Polygon could be clearly separated from those cultivated indoors, and the distance between them was detectable. The MDA revealed that phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and arsenic concentrations were used as variables for this separation. Our results demonstrate that multi-element composition analysis can be used to indicate the origin or cultivation location of cannabis plants. Routine laboratory analyses consisting of multi-element composition combined with statistical analyses provide a reliable tool by which C. sativa movement, cultivation, and interdiction efforts in Brazil may be assessed.
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Investigation of chloroplast regions rps16 and clpP for determination of Cannabis sativa crop type and biogeographical origin. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2020; 47:101759. [PMID: 32711370 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2020.101759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa can be classified as either hemp (a legal crop containing less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) or marijuana (an illegal drug containing more than 0.3% THC). Despite its legalization in 33 states for medicinal or recreational use, marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the USA, and it is heavily trafficked into and within the country. Discriminating between marijuana and hemp is critical to the legal process. Genetic analysis provides a means of analyzing samples unsuitable for chemical analysis, and in addition to discriminating between crop types, DNA may be able to determine the biogeographical origin of samples. In addition, the sharing of rare haplotypes between different seizures may be useful for linking cases and providing investigative leads to law enforcement. This study evaluates the potential of two highly polymorphic regions of the chloroplast genome of C. sativa, rps16 and clpP, to be used for determination of crop type and biogeographical origin. Custom fragment analysis and SNaPshot™ assays were developed to genotype nine polymorphic loci in hemp samples from the USA and Canada, marijuana samples from USA-Mexico and Chile, and medical marijuana samples from Chile. Haplotype analysis revealed eight haplotypes. Only Canadian hemp could be completely differentiated from the other sample groups by haplotype. Phylogenetic analysis and principal component analysis suggested a closer relationship among USA-Mexico marijuana, Chilean marijuana and medical marijuana, and USA hemp. Genotyping additional polymorphisms in future studies is expected to reveal further differences between these sample groups.
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de Oliveira Pereira Ribeiro L, Avila E, Mariot RF, Fett MS, de Oliveira Camargo FA, Alho CS. Evaluation of two 13-loci STR multiplex system regarding identification and origin discrimination of Brazilian Cannabis sativa samples. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:1603-1612. [PMID: 32583082 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02338-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
According to the Brazilian Federal Police (BFP), the Brazilian Cannabis sativa illicit market is mainly supplied by drugs originated from Paraguay and Northeastern Brazil (Marijuana Polygon region). These two known routes, the increasing indoor cultivations (supported by online market), and drugs from Uruguay are also in BFP's sight. Forensic tools to aid police intelligence were published in the past years. In genetics, microsatellites have gained attention due to their individualization capability. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of two STR multiplex systems previously proposed in 94 Cannabis sativa samples seized in Brazil. Principal coordinate analyses (PCoA), forensic parameters, and genetic structure analysis were executed. Both panels were effective in individualizing and origin discriminating all samples, and the system proposed in 2015 demonstrated better results. For this marker set, the probability of identity for a random individual is approximately one in 65 billion; also, the PCoA shows a clear genetic distinction among samples according to its origin. Bayesian inference populational structure analysis indicated a significant genetic diversity among seizure groups, matching with its origin. Overall, the STR multiplex systems were able to achieve its purpose in individualizing and differentiating, according to geographic region, Brazilian Cannabis sp. samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas de Oliveira Pereira Ribeiro
- Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - INCT Ciências Forenses, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo Avila
- Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - INCT Ciências Forenses, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Departamento da Polícia Federal no Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Roberta Fogliatto Mariot
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - INCT Ciências Forenses, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Mauro Sander Fett
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - INCT Ciências Forenses, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Departamento da Polícia Federal no Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências do Solo, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Flávio Anastácio de Oliveira Camargo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - INCT Ciências Forenses, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências do Solo, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Clarice Sampaio Alho
- Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - INCT Ciências Forenses, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Jones NS, Comparin JH. Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:608-669. [PMID: 33385148 PMCID: PMC7770462 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Comparin
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
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8
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Roman MG, Gangitano D, Houston R. Characterization of new chloroplast markers to determine biogeographical origin and crop type of Cannabis sativa. Int J Legal Med 2019; 133:1721-1732. [PMID: 31444552 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02142-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is the most commonly used illicit drug in the USA. Despite its schedule I classification by the federal government, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized its use for medicinal or recreational purposes. This state-specific legalization has created a new problem for law enforcement: preventing and tracking the diversion of legally obtained Cannabis to states where it remains illegal. In addition, trafficking of the drug at the border with Mexico remains an issue for law enforcement agencies. C. sativa crops can be classified as marijuana (a drug containing the psychoactive chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) or hemp (the non-drug form of the plant). Differentiation between crop types is important for forensic purposes. In addition, investigation of trafficking routes into and within the USA requires genetic association of samples from different seizures, and determining where the crop originated could provide important leads. This project seeks to exploit sequence variations in C. sativa chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) to allow genetic determination of biogeographic origin, discrimination between marijuana and hemp, and association between cases for C. sativa samples. Due to the limited discriminatory ability of common barcoding markers, the authors sought to discover more informative polymorphic regions. By comparing published whole genome cpDNA sequences, 58 polymorphisms and seven hotspot regions were identified. Hemp samples from the USA and Canada, marijuana samples from Mexico and Chile, and medical marijuana samples from Chile were evaluated using two cpDNA hotspot regions, rpl32-trnL and trnS-trnG. Principal component analysis supported some differences between the groups based on their crop type and biogeographic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G Roman
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd., Huntsville, TX, 77340-2525, USA
| | - David Gangitano
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd., Huntsville, TX, 77340-2525, USA
| | - Rachel Houston
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd., Huntsville, TX, 77340-2525, USA.
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9
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Matielo CBD, Lemos RPM, Sarzi DS, Machado LDO, Beise DC, Dobbler PCT, Castro RM, Fett MS, Roesch LFW, Camargo FADO, Stefenon VM. Whole Plastome Sequences of Two Drug-Type Cannabis: Insights Into the Use of Plastid in Forensic Analyses. J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:259-265. [PMID: 31411746 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
DNA is one of the fastest growing tools in forensic sciences, increasing reliability in forensic reports and judgments. The use of DNA has increased in different areas of the forensic sciences, such as investigation of plant species, where plastid DNA has been used to elucidate and generate evidence in cases of traceability of genetically modified and controlled plants. Even with several advances and the practice of using DNA in forensic investigations, there are just few studies related to the identification of genetic tools for the characterization of drug and nondrug-types of Cannabis. Herein, the whole plastomes of two drug-type Cannabis are presented and have their structures compared with other Cannabis plastomes deposited in the GenBank, focusing in the forensic use of plastome sequences. The plastomes of Cannabis sativa "Brazuka" and of the hybrid Cannabis AK Royal Automatic presented general structure that does not differs from the reported for other C. sativa cultivars. A phylogenomic analyses grouped C. sativa "Brazuka" with the nondrug C. sativa cultivars, while the hybrid Cannabis AK Royal Automatic placed isolated, basal to this group. This suggests that the analysis of plastomes is useful toward genetic identification of hybrids in relation to C. sativa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Barbosa D'Oliveira Matielo
- Núcleo de Ecologia Molecular e Micropropagação de Plantas, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, 97307-020, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Rafael Plá Matielo Lemos
- Núcleo de Ecologia Molecular e Micropropagação de Plantas, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, 97307-020, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Deise Schröder Sarzi
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis - CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, RJ, Brasil
| | - Lilian de Oliveira Machado
- Laboratório de Fisiologia do Desenvolvimento e Genética Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Santa Catarina, Brasil
| | - Dalvan Carlos Beise
- Núcleo de Ecologia Molecular e Micropropagação de Plantas, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, 97307-020, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Priscila Caroline Thiago Dobbler
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, 97307-020, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Renata Machado Castro
- Núcleo de Ecologia Molecular e Micropropagação de Plantas, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, 97307-020, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Mauro Sander Fett
- Setor Técnico-Científico, Superintendência Regional do Departamento de Polícia Federal no Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 90160-093, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Luiz Fernando Würdig Roesch
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, 97307-020, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Flávio Anastácio de Oliveira Camargo
- Departamento de Ciências do Solo, Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Valdir Marcos Stefenon
- Núcleo de Ecologia Molecular e Micropropagação de Plantas, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, 97307-020, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
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Paranaiba RTF, Carvalho CBV, Freitas JM, Fassio LH, Botelho ÉD, Neves DBJ, Silva RC, Aguiar SM. Forensic botany and forensic chemistry working together: application of plant DNA barcoding as a complement to forensic chemistry-a case study in Brazil. Genome 2019; 62:11-18. [PMID: 30707055 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2018-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recently, Brazilian Federal Police used forensic chemistry and forensic botany techniques on a case. Two packets containing fragmented plant matter were seized and sent for forensic analysis. Forensic chemistry, the gold standard for evaluating plant material suspected to contain illicit substances, did not find illicit materials. Gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified thujone in the botanical material. Thujone is a chemical compound naturally found in many plant species, notably Artemisia absinthium. Because doubt remained, we next used plant DNA barcoding methods. Total DNA from plant tissue fragments was extracted and five different DNA regions were amplified, sequenced, and analyzed using plant DNA barcoding methods. Genetic analysis yielded 30 good quality sequences representing five taxa. Most specimens were identified as A. absinthium. Few studies focus on practical forensic applications of plant DNA barcoding methods using a case solved in a forensic laboratory with its difficulties and limitations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report an effective joint effort of forensic chemistry and botany techniques to assess plant material in Brazil. The availability of a new technical approach for the genetic sequencing of plant species will enhance many forensic investigations and inspire similar initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato T F Paranaiba
- a DNA Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
| | - Carlos B V Carvalho
- a DNA Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
| | - Jorge M Freitas
- a DNA Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
| | - Levy H Fassio
- a DNA Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
| | - Élvio D Botelho
- b Chemistry Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
| | - Diana B J Neves
- b Chemistry Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
| | - Ronaldo C Silva
- a DNA Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
| | - Sérgio M Aguiar
- a DNA Laboratory, National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police. SAIS Quadra 7, Lote 23, Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70610-200
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11
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Plant-feeding phlebotomine sand flies, vectors of leishmaniasis, prefer Cannabis sativa. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:11790-11795. [PMID: 30373823 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1810435115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-sucking phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) transmit leishmaniasis as well as arboviral diseases and bartonellosis. Sand fly females become infected with Leishmania parasites and transmit them while imbibing vertebrates' blood, required as a source of protein for maturation of eggs. In addition, both females and males consume plant-derived sugar meals as a source of energy. Plant meals may comprise sugary solutions such as nectar or honeydew (secreted by plant-sucking homopteran insects), as well as phloem sap that sand flies obtain by piercing leaves and stems with their needle-like mouthparts. Hence, the structure of plant communities can influence the distribution and epidemiology of leishmaniasis. We designed a next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based assay for determining the source of sand fly plant meals, based upon the chloroplast DNA gene ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain (rbcL). Here, we report on the predilection of several sand fly species, vectors of leishmaniasis in different parts of the world, for feeding on Cannabis sativa We infer this preference based on the substantial percentage of sand flies that had fed on C. sativa plants despite the apparent "absence" of these plants from most of the field sites. We discuss the conceivable implications of the affinity of sand flies for C. sativa on their vectorial capacity for Leishmania and the putative exploitation of their attraction to C. sativa for the control of sand fly-borne diseases.
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12
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Nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial data of a US cannabis DNA database. Int J Legal Med 2018; 132:713-725. [PMID: 29464313 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1798-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
As Cannabis sativa (marijuana) is a controlled substance in many parts of the world, the ability to track biogeographical origin of cannabis could provide law enforcement with investigative leads regarding its trade and distribution. Population substructure and inbreeding may cause cannabis plants to become more genetically related. This genetic relatedness can be helpful for intelligence purposes. Analysis of autosomal, chloroplast, and mitochondrial DNA allows for not only prediction of biogeographical origin of a plant but also discrimination between individual plants. A previously validated, 13-autosomal STR multiplex was used to genotype 510 samples. Samples were analyzed from four different sites: 21 seizures at the US-Mexico border, Northeastern Brazil, hemp seeds purchased in the US, and the Araucania area of Chile. In addition, a previously reported multi-loci system was modified and optimized to genotype five chloroplast and two mitochondrial markers. For this purpose, two methods were designed: a homopolymeric STR pentaplex and a SNP triplex with one chloroplast (Cscp001) marker shared by both methods for quality control. For successful mitochondrial and chloroplast typing, a novel real-time PCR quantitation method was developed and validated to accurately estimate the quantity of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) using a synthetic DNA standard. Moreover, a sequenced allelic ladder was also designed for accurate genotyping of the homopolymeric STR pentaplex. For autosomal typing, 356 unique profiles were generated from the 425 samples that yielded full STR profiles and 25 identical genotypes within seizures were observed. Phylogenetic analysis and case-to-case pairwise comparisons of 21 seizures at the US-Mexico border, using the Fixation Index (F ST ) as genetic distance, revealed the genetic association of nine seizures that formed a reference population. For mitochondrial and chloroplast typing, subsampling was performed, and 134 samples were genotyped. Complete haplotypes (STRs and SNPs) were observed for 127 samples. As expected, extensive haplotype sharing was observed; five distinguishable haplotypes were detected. In the reference population, the same haplotype was observed 39 times and two unique haplotypes were also detected. Haplotype sharing was observed between the US border seizures, Brazil, and Chile, while the hemp samples generated a distinct haplotype. Phylogenetic analysis of the four populations was performed, and results revealed that both autosomal and lineage markers could discern population substructure.
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