DNAPrint Launches Research to Enhance Law Enforcement Forensics Technology With 3D Biometric Capability 6/10/2005 9:33:51 AM SARASOTA, Fla., June 10, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- DNAPrint genomics, Inc. ( 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
SOURCE DNAPrint genomics
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
DNAPrint Launches Research to Enhance Law Enforcement Forensics Technology With 3D Biometric Capability
SARASOTA, Fla., June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (OTC 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.
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