DNAPrint Launches Research to Enhance Law Enforcement Forensics Technology With 3D Biometric Capability
2005年6月10日 - 11:33PM
PRニュース・ワイアー (英語)
DNAPrint Launches Research to Enhance Law Enforcement Forensics
Technology With 3D Biometric Capability SARASOTA, Fla., June 10
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (OTC:DNAP)
(BULLETIN BOARD: DNAP) (the "Company") today announced that it has
begun research on developing 3D biometric applications for the
Company's DNAWitness(TM) law enforcement forensics technology. "The
ability to interpret whether DNA recovered at a crime scene can
reveal anything about a person's likely facial features and other
attributes of physical appearance would be a significant tool for
forensic investigators and a valuable enhancement for our
DNAWitness product," stated DNAPrint President and Chief Executive
Officer Richard Gabriel. The aim of the project is two-fold,
according to Dr. Mark Shriver, Associate Professor of Biology
Anthropology at Penn State University, where the research is being
conducted. "We want to provide better tools for forensics
professionals to infer physical appearance indirectly through
assessment of BioGeographical (or genomic) Ancestry and to discover
new genes that underlie specific phenotypes or physical features,"
he stated. DNAPrint's anthropometric databases currently are built
from and/or comprised of 2-dimensional digital photographs. One of
the research project's goals is to integrate new 3D technology
purchased by DNAPrint from Atlanta- based 3dMD (
http://www.3dmd.com/ ) with DNAWitness. The 3D application is also
expected to enable anthropometric features to be documented with
the precision required for sensitive and comprehensive genome
research. DNAPrint's DNAWitness technology for law enforcement
analyzes DNA recovered from a crime scene. In August 2004 the
Company introduced RETINOME(TM) for determining human iris (eye)
color from DNA samples. DNAPrint also recently introduced a
DNAWitness test kit that enables forensics experts to conduct their
own tests in their own facilities without sending recovered DNA
back to the Company for analysis. DNAWitness forensics technology
is the only testing method available with predictive capability
that can identify the percentage of a person's genetic makeup among
four possible groups -- Sub-Saharan African, Native American, East
Asian and Indo-European plus the recent addition of Northern
European, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Indo (Pakistan and
India). This broadens an investigator's ability to provide a
description of a person of interest. It is a valuable investigative
tool for analyzing DNA recovered at a crime scene because it
narrows the search for potential suspects, reducing cost and time
in making an apprehension. Dr. Shriver is conducting the research
as part of a population genomic study at Penn State entitled "The
Genetics of Human Pigmentation, Ancestry and Facial Features" and
is utilizing the 3D technology in his laboratory to document
anthropometric facial-cranial traits of research subjects. This
information is valuable for forensic scientists in reconstructing
physical characteristics from crime scene DNA, but is also useful
for geneticists in designing studies aimed at identifying the
underlying genes. "Our common goal remains the same, to help
investigators solve cases," Mr. Gabriel stated. "We have now
participated in more than 80 law enforcement cases, eliminating
speculation and changing the direction and focus of many
investigations. Upon completion of beta testing some time this year
on our new DNAWitness(TM) test kit, forensics experts in every
crime laboratory in the world will have easy access to our
technology." DNAPrint has been at the forefront of the effort to
optimize Admixture Mapping (AM) methodology using eye, hair and
skin pigmentation (which are relatively easy to measure) as model
systems. In the journal Genetics in 2003, DNAPrint scientists
described one such gene called OCA2 as the primary human iris color
gene, and Dr. Shriver has identified a number of genes that may be
involved in skin pigmentation. Until now, the genetics of facial
features has been very difficult to investigate as geneticists have
been limited by older technologies that were not capable of precise
objective anthropometric measurement. About DNAPrint genomics, Inc.
DNAPrint genomics, Inc. ( http://www.dnaprint.com/ ) is a developer
of genomic and pharmaceutical products and services focused on
applications for new drugs, forensics technology for the law
enforcement market and consumer products for individuals interested
in learning their family heritage. DNAPrint products include
ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM), EURO-DNA(TM) and DNAWitness(TM) and are
available by contacting the company or visiting our web site. Other
products in development include OVANOME(TM), a test for predicting
a cancer patient's response to TAXOL/Carboplatin treatment;
STATINOME(TM), a test for predicting the response to cholesterol
lowering medicines known as Statins and "Super EPO" and the
Company's first drug development project, an erythropoietin dimer
used to treat kidney dialysis patients. Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are
forward- looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected, including, but not limited to,
uncertainties relating to technologies, product development,
manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint's
products, dependence on collaborations and partners, regulatory
approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, and patent
protection and litigation. DNAPrint genomics, Inc. expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward- looking statements contained
herein to reflect any change in DNAPrint's expectations with regard
thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on
which any such statements are based. Company Contact: Richard
Gabriel President and CEO 941-366-3400 -or- Ron Stabiner The Wall
Street Group, Inc. 212-888-4848 DATASOURCE: DNAPrint genomics
CONTACT: Richard Gabriel, President and CEO, DNAPrint genomics,
+1-941-366-3400; or Ron Stabiner, The Wall Street Group, Inc.,
+1-212-888-4848, for DNAPrint genomics Web site:
http://www.dnaprint.com/ http://www.3dmd.com/
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