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Editorial
. 2015 Aug;44(4):1083-93.
doi: 10.1093/ije/dyv198.

From stem cells to the law courts: DNA methylation, the forensic epigenome and the possibility of a biosocial archive

Caroline L Relton  1 , Fernando Pires Hartwig  2 , George Davey Smith  3
Affiliations
Editorial

From stem cells to the law courts: DNA methylation, the forensic epigenome and the possibility of a biosocial archive

Caroline L Relton et al. Int J Epidemiol. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

The growth in epigenetics continues to attract considerable cross-disciplinary interest, apparently representing an opportunity to move beyond genomics towards the goal of understanding phenotypic variability from molecular through organismal to the societal level. The epigenome may also harbour useful information about life-time exposures (measured or unmeasured) irrespective of their influence on health or disease, creating the potential for a person-specific biosocial archive. Furthermore such data may prove of use in providing identifying information, providing the possibility of a future forensic epigenome. The mechanisms involved in ensuring that environmentally induced epigenetic changes perpetuate across the life course remain unclear. Here we propose a potential role of adult stem cells in maintaining epigenetic states provides a useful basis for formulating such epidemiologically-relevant concepts.

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Conflict of interest statement

statement GDS’ mother smoked and drank alcohol during her pregnancy with him, and (jokingly) suggested he sue her for the damage done.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ten year publication trajectory in epigenetic epidemiology (2005-2014)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit: Season 10, Episode 8 Perverted. First Aired: November 18 2009 DNA links a suspect to the murder of a biker in Central Park whose gang specialized in hits and prostitution. Genetic analysis matched the murder weapon with the suspect but DNA methylation analysis showed the two samples to differ and was used to prove that the suspect was innocent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_%26_Order:_Special_Victims_Unit_(season_10)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Lineage potential and adult stem cells. ASCs can give rise to cells of certain lineages.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Symmetric and asymmetric stem cell division and maintenance of environmentally induced epigenetic change
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Publication types