Teeth: The Unyielding DNA Vault

Teeth are tough. They can stand up to a lot, including strong acids. This is important for forensic scientists. They often need to identify people from remains. Teeth are great for this because they hold onto DNA well. Even when exposed to harsh chemicals, teeth can still give up their DNA secrets. Scientists wanted to see how long teeth could hold onto DNA when exposed to strong acids. They used three types of acids: hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric. Each acid was tested for different lengths of time: 8, 12, and 120 hours. The teeth were then checked for DNA. The results were interesting. Teeth exposed to any of the acids for up to 24 hours still gave a full DNA profile. Even after 120 hours in sulfuric acid, a partial profile could be obtained. This shows that teeth are a reliable source for DNA, even when they have been through a lot. Teeth are made of strong stuff. They have a hard outer layer called enamel and a strong inner layer called dentin. This makes them resistant to damage. When it comes to DNA, teeth are like a vault. They keep the DNA safe. This is why teeth are so useful in forensic science. They can help identify people even when other methods fail. The study showed that teeth can still give up their DNA even after being exposed to strong acids for a long time. This is good news for forensic scientists. It means they have a better chance of identifying people from remains. The study also showed that different acids affect teeth differently. Sulfuric acid was the most damaging. It took the longest to recover DNA from teeth exposed to it. This is something to keep in mind. It shows that the type of acid can make a difference. It also shows that time matters. The longer the teeth are exposed to acid, the harder it is to get a full DNA profile. But even after 120 hours, a partial profile could still be obtained. This is impressive. It shows that teeth are tough. They can take a lot and still give up their DNA. The study also raised some questions. Why do some acids affect teeth more than others? How does the type of acid affect the DNA inside the teeth? These are questions that need more research. But the study showed that teeth are a reliable source for DNA. They can help identify people even when other methods fail. This is important for forensic science. It means they have a better chance of solving crimes. The study also showed that teeth are a good source for DNA. They can help identify people even when other methods fail. This is important for forensic science. It means they have a better chance of solving crimes. But the study also raised some questions. Why do some acids affect teeth more than others? How does the type of acid affect the DNA inside the teeth? These are questions that need more research. But the study showed that teeth are a reliable source for DNA. They can help identify people even when other methods fail. This is important for forensic science. It means they have a better chance of solving crimes.