UMANA Illinois Branch members explore the science of forensic genetics (01/01/06)

UMANA Illinois Branch members explore the science of forensic genetics

SKOKIE, Ill. - The Illinois Branch of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) met Sunday, October 23, 2005, to conduct regular chapter business and hear a presentation by Andrew R. Melnyk, M.D., on "Forensic Genetics - the Science of Human Identification and Genetic Profiling by DNA Analysis."

George Kuritza, M.D., chapter president, welcomed over 40 members to Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant in Skokie, Ill., holding a brief business meeting before the luncheon presentation. Dr. Kuritza reviewed the activities of the prior year and encouraged all members to actively participate in UMANA branch functions.

He expressed special gratitude to branch member Dr. Peter Blendonohy, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Resurrection Hospital, for his generous and compassionate care of Aleksandr Bakhtiarov. Mr. Bakhtiarov is a Ukrainian soldier severely injured earlier this year in Iraq, who required extensive and aggressive rehabilitative care. UMANA approached Dr. Blendonohy, who graciously volunteered his services and facilitated his stay at Resurrection Hospital on humanitarian grounds. During the several months of his care, Mr. Bakhtiarov progressed well, to the point of being discharged home to Ukraine in the prior week. "Dr. Blendonohy's dedication is exemplary," said Dr. Kuritza.

Dr. Kuritza then introduced Dr. Andrew Melnyk, director of the Section of Cytogenetics and assistant director of the Section of Molecular Genetics, Department of Pathology at Resurrection Medical Health Center, in Chicago. Dr. Melnyk reviewed the biochemical and molecular basis of DNA function, explaining the current methods used to extract DNA information, and displayed typical examples of DNA electrophoresis. He then switched emphasis to "the interesting stuff: paternity suites, criminal cases and human identification."

Dr. Melnyk informed the listeners that the bulk of cases using DNA analysis involve determinations of paternity, either confirming or excluding a man in disputes questioning whose children are whose. These cases tend to be rather straightforward, since adequate samples of DNA are obtainable from the interested parties, and usually not much time has transpired since the events leading to the inquiries.

DNA samples at crime scenes, however, may exist in minute quantities, or may be many years old. Furthermore, the simple presence of DNA is useful only if there are suspects. At that point, DNA evidence can either match or exclude suspects in criminal acts. Dr. Melnyk summarized the case of O.J. Simpson, where, despite what appeared to be strong DNA evidence matching the suspect, the court proceedings came to quite a different conclusion, underscoring the ambivalent nature of this science.

Concluding, Dr. Melnyk presented the cases of the Romanov royal family and Heorhii Gongadze. In each case, DNA evidence was obtained from both the deceased as well as his closest available living relatives, to confirm the identity of the remains. Dr. Melnyk stressed that the confirming nature of these investigations can bring solace and closure to recent as well as historical events, relieving uncertainty and dispelling doubt.

The attendees ended the meeting with a question and answer session; many remained, engaging in collegial discussion.

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