Detection of Buried Human Remains Using Bioreporter Fluorescence
The search for buried human remains is a difficult, laborious and time-consuming task for law enforcement agencies. This study was conducted as a proof of principle demonstration to test the concept of using bioreporter microorganisms as a means to cover large areas in such a search. These bioreporter microorganisms are affected by a particular component of decaying organic matter that is distinct from decaying vegetation. The diamino compounds cadaverine and putrescine were selected as target compounds for the proof-of-principle investigation, and a search for microorganisms and genes that are responsive to either of these compounds was conducted. One recombinant clone was singled out for characterization based on its response to putrescine. The study results show that small concentrations of putrescine increased expression from this bioreporter construct. Although the level of increase was small (making it difficult to distinguish the signal from background), the results demonstrate the principle that bioreporters can be used to detect compounds resulting from decaying human remains and suggest that a wider search for target compounds should be conducted.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22800
- OSTI ID:
- 799515
- Report Number(s):
- Y/NSP-726; TRN: US200221%%182
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1 Oct 2001
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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