The effect of heating on Y-chromosome detection.

The effect of heating on Y-chromosome detection was investigated. Heat-treated blood was divided into four groups according to the hemolysis pattern obtained by the coil planet centrifuge system. A significant difference between the Y-positive nuclei of males and females was observed up to group III of the hemolysis pattern, and it was possible to determine the sex of the blood donor in spite of karyolysis and degeneration of blood components. However, sex determination of blood in group IV, indicating complete hemolysis, was impossible because of overlapping between male and female Y-chromosome counts. Practical application of this sex determination method was successful even with severely burned cadavers. However, it was suggested that putrefaction together with heat damage made the identification nearly impossible.