{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]],"date-time":"2026-09-03T10:15:13Z","timestamp":1788430513858,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]],"date-time":"2026-09-03T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788393600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Genes"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: In the identification of human remains, their genetic profile can be compared with that obtained from biological samples of the person from whom they are suspected to have come. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of storage time on DNA obtained from umbilical cord that could be used as a reference in forensic identification. Methods: Fifteen umbilical cords stored by the donors in their homes for a period of between 0.5 and 47 years were collected. Saliva samples were obtained for use as a reference. DNA extraction was performed using the PrepFiler Express BTA\u2122 Forensic DNA Extraction Kit and quantified using the Quantifiler\u2122 HP DNA quantification kit. STR profiling was performed using the GlobalFiler\u2122 PCR Amplification Kit. Alleles were detected using an ABI PRISM\u00ae 3500 genetic analyzer. Results: In samples from 0.5 to 21 years of age, DNA concentration and degradation index (DI) did not follow a linear pattern over time; the genetic profiles obtained matched that of the corresponding saliva sample. Older samples showed lower DNA concentration values and higher DIs. The percentage of alleles recovered decreased to 31% in the oldest umbilical cord analyzed. However, from a sample stored for 31 years, a DNA concentration and DI similar to the younger samples were obtained, along with a complete STR profile. Conclusions: It is possible to obtain STR profiles useful for forensic identification from umbilical cords even after decades of storage; however, success is highly variable and cannot be predicted from storage time alone.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/genes17091066","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]],"date-time":"2026-09-03T09:20:43Z","timestamp":1788427243000},"page":"1066","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Effect of Storage Time on DNA Obtained from Umbilical Cord Used in Forensic Identification"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Marta","family":"Ortega-Mart\u00ednez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"conceptualization","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"methodology","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"investigation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-original-draft","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"supervision","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"given":"Devani","family":"Moreno-S\u00e1nchez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"methodology","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"investigation","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"given":"Jenifer","family":"Hern\u00e1ndez-Mart\u00ednez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"methodology","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"investigation","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7416-6378","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mar\u00eda-de-Lourdes","family":"Ch\u00e1vez-Briones","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"software","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"resources","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"data-curation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"funding-acquisition","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"given":"Yareth","family":"Gopar-Cuevas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"validation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"formal-analysis","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-review-editing","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"given":"Jaime","family":"Garc\u00eda-Ju\u00e1rez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Histology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"validation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"formal-analysis","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"visualization","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"given":"Gilberto","family":"Jaramillo-Rangel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"conceptualization","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"resources","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-original-draft","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"supervision","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"project-administration","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"funding-acquisition","vocabulary":"credit"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1007\/s13353-011-0068-7","article-title":"Current genetic methodologies in the identification of disaster victims and in forensic analysis","volume":"53","author":"Witt","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Appl. Genet."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"270","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fsigen.2018.08.016","article-title":"Current and emerging tools for the recovery of genetic information from post mortem samples: New directions for disaster victim identification","volume":"37","author":"Watherston","year":"2018","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int. Genet."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"674","DOI":"10.1520\/JFS14746J","article-title":"Usefulness of a toothbrush as a source of evidential DNA for typing","volume":"45","author":"Tanaka","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Forensic Sci."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1001","DOI":"10.1111\/1556-4029.12765","article-title":"The potential of cosmetic applicators as a source of DNA for forensic analysis","volume":"60","author":"Adamowicz","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Forensic Sci."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ch\u00e1vez-Briones, M.D., Jaramillo-Rangel, G., Ancer-Arellano, A., Ancer-Rodr\u00edguez, J., and Ortega-Mart\u00ednez, M. (2023). Identification of the remains of an adult using DNA from their deciduous teeth as a reference sample. Medicina, 59.","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina59101702"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1016\/S0379-0738(97)00150-3","article-title":"Human identification by genotyping of personal articles","volume":"90","author":"Sasaki","year":"1997","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"314","DOI":"10.1007\/s00414-002-0324-9","article-title":"Paternity diagnosis by using umbilical cords preserved for periods ranging from 9 months to 44 years","volume":"116","author":"Minakata","year":"2002","journal-title":"Int. J. Leg. Med."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"148","DOI":"10.1097\/01.paf.0000067760.89286.a0","article-title":"Identification of two fire victims by comparative nuclear DNA typing of skeletal remains and stored umbilical tissues","volume":"24","author":"Calacal","year":"2003","journal-title":"Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"444","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ics.2005.09.014","article-title":"STR typing of 77-year-old umbilical cord in maternity test","volume":"1288","author":"Hara","year":"2006","journal-title":"Int. Congr. Ser."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"238","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fsigss.2009.08.191","article-title":"DNA recovery from a 44-year old umbilical cord","volume":"2","author":"Pena","year":"2009","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. Suppl. Ser."},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"Comisi\u00f3n Nacional del Agua (2026, June 29). Coordinaci\u00f3n General del Servicio Metereol\u00f3gico Nacional. Base de Datos Climatol\u00f3gica Nacional. Available online: https:\/\/smn.conagua.gob.mx\/tools\/RESOURCES\/Normales_Climatologicas\/Mensuales\/nl\/mes19052.txt."},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"(2026, June 29). Weather & Climate. Available online: https:\/\/weather-and-climate.com\/average-monthly-Humidity-perc,monterrey,Mexico."},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Thermo Fisher Scientific (2026, June 20). User Guide: PrepFiler Express\u2122 and PrepFiler Express BTA\u2122 Forensic DNA Extraction Kits. For Use with: AutoMate Express\u2122 Forensic DNA Extraction System. Available online: https:\/\/documents.thermofisher.com\/TFS-Assets\/LSG\/manuals\/cms_081933.pdf."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.2144\/000114018","article-title":"Chelex 100 as a medium for simple extraction of DNA for PCR-based typing from forensic material","volume":"54","author":"Walsh","year":"2013","journal-title":"Biotechniques"},{"key":"ref_15","unstructured":"Thermo Fisher Scientific (2026, June 20). User Guide: Quantifiler\u2122 HP and Trio DNA Quantification Kits. Available online: https:\/\/documents.thermofisher.com\/TFS-Assets\/LSG\/manuals\/4485354.pdf."},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"Thermo Fisher Scientific (2026, June 20). User Guide: GlobalFiler\u2122 and GlobalFiler\u2122 IQC PCR Amplification Kits. Available online: https:\/\/documents.thermofisher.com\/TFS-Assets\/LSG\/manuals\/MAN0029969-GlobalFilerIQC-PCRAmpKit-UG.pdf."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"Thermo Fisher Scientific (2026, June 20). DNA Fragment Analysis by Capillary Electrophoresis. Available online: https:\/\/documents.thermofisher.com\/TFS-Assets\/LSG\/manuals\/4474504.pdf."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Thermo Fisher Scientific (2026, June 20). User Guide: Applied Biosystems 3500\/3500xL Genetic Analyzer. Available online: https:\/\/documents.thermofisher.com\/TFS-Assets\/LSG\/manuals\/4401661.pdf."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Innocence Project (2026, June 21). Best Practices for Collection, Packaging, Storage, Preservation, and Retrieval of Biological Evidence. Available online: https:\/\/www.innocenceproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/texas-evidence-statute.pdf."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"Iowa Department of Public Safety (2026, June 21). Guidelines for DNA Sample Documentation, Collection, Packaging and Preservation, Available online: https:\/\/dps.iowa.gov\/media\/111\/download?inline."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh (2026, June 21). Guidelines for Collection, Storage and Transportation of Crime Scene DNA Samples, Available online: https:\/\/www.cfslchandigarh.gov.in\/Uploads\/Media\/Original\/20180627121024_IO-SOP%20Final.pdf."},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"656","article-title":"Quantification and genotyping of trace samples","volume":"34","author":"Song","year":"2018","journal-title":"Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fsigen.2006.10.003","article-title":"DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG): Recommendations regarding the role of forensic genetics for disaster victim identification (DVI)","volume":"1","author":"Prinz","year":"2007","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int. Genet."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rajatileka, S., Luyt, K., El-Bokle, M., Williams, M., Kemp, H., Moln\u00e1r, E., and V\u00e1radi, A. (2013). Isolation of human genomic DNA for genetic analysis from premature neonates: A comparison between newborn dried blood spots, whole blood and umbilical cord tissue. BMC Genet., 14.","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2156-14-105"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"445","DOI":"10.1080\/00450618.2013.772235","article-title":"Degradation of forensic DNA profiles","volume":"45","author":"Bright","year":"2013","journal-title":"Aust. J. Forensic Sci."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"148","DOI":"10.1016\/j.forsciint.2016.02.014","article-title":"DNA quality and quantity from up to 16 years old post-mortem blood stored on FTA cards","volume":"261","author":"Rahikainen","year":"2016","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"897","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fsigss.2019.11.013","article-title":"A study of skeletal remains using GlobalFiler\u2122","volume":"7","author":"Almohammed","year":"2019","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. Suppl. Ser."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1186\/s41935-024-00389-y","article-title":"An overview of DNA degradation and its implications in forensic caseworks","volume":"14","author":"Bhoyar","year":"2024","journal-title":"Egypt. J. Forensic Sci."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"\u017barczy\u0144ska, M., \u017barczy\u0144ski, P., and Tomsia, M. (2023). Nucleic acids persistence-benefits and limitations in forensic genetics. Genes, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/genes14081643"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fsigss.2022.10.036","article-title":"Predicting the optimal STR profile amplification set up from Quantifiler\u2122 Trio data","volume":"8","author":"Dupont","year":"2022","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. Suppl. Ser."},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"(2013). That Establishes the Criteria for the Execution of Research Projects for Health in Human Beings (Standard No. NOM-012-SSA3-2012)."}],"container-title":["Genes"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2073-4425\/17\/9\/1066\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]],"date-time":"2026-09-03T09:28:34Z","timestamp":1788427714000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2073-4425\/17\/9\/1066"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]]},"references-count":31,"journal-issue":{"issue":"9","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]}},"alternative-id":["genes17091066"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/genes17091066","relation":{},"ISSN":["2073-4425"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2073-4425","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]]}}}