Comparative DNA profiling of conceptus parts in paternity disputes and rape investigations: a case study

Forensic laboratories frequently receive cases related to abortion, particularly in the context of paternity disputes and rape crimes. However, the focus has traditionally been on the foetus, while the placenta and its associated components, which start development after one month and mature within three months, are often overlooked. This study represents the comparison of DNA profiling from various parts of the aborted conceptus, including the placenta (foetal side), placenta (maternal side), umbilical cord, and foetus. The results have produced consistent and expected profiles but with meticulous foetal tissue processing. Due to the significant presence of maternal blood in these components, a rigorous washing procedure for the aborted foetal material is imperative before DNA extraction can be carried out. The generated profiles emphasize the equal forensic utility of different conceptus components, challenging the conventional focus on the foetus alone. This study paves the way for collecting and processing of various developed parts of the conceptus for DNA profiling as required by the specific case scenarios.