Wearer and non-wearer DNA on the collars and cuffs of upper garments of worn clothing

Magee, Alan; Breathnach, Michelle; Doak, Shareen H.; Thornton, Fiona; Noone, Conor; McKenna, Louise

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.02.011

Cited by 36 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This was most likely due to the volunteer's actions having no restrictions during the 15 minutes post-hand washing, it is expected that a volunteer will touch items during this time that may have been previously handled by others. It has been shown that non-self DNA is present on an individual which would explain the prevalence of mixtures within this study, especially considering the sensitivity of the technique [16,[18][19][20][21]. Mixed profiles often included only a few low-level non-donor alleles and where a larger number of non-donor alleles were…”

Section: Suggested Figurementioning

confidence: 91%

DNA profiles generated from a range of touched sample types

Martin

Blackie

Taylor

et al. 2018

Forensic Science International: Genetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Direct PCR from touch DNA has a range of potential applications in the field of forensic investigation for exhibit examination that, under standard extraction methods, rarely produce informative DNA profiles. Previous studies from 'touch DNA' have focussed on fingermarks created under laboratory conditions. Here we report on successful STR DNA profiling from a range of touched items. Direct PCR, with no increase in cycle number, was performed after eight different sample types, typical of those submitted for forensic investigation, were handled by volunteers for a maximum of 15 s to deposit trace amounts of their DNA. Amplifications were performed using either GlobalFiler or Identifiler Plus following manufacturer's instructions. These two kits were chosen deliberately as many laboratories worldwide have adopted and validated them in their workflow, thus allowing for direct PCR to be incorporated within their practises easily. It was found that informative STR profiles were obtained from all eight substrates using both STR kits. Identifiler Plus out-performed GlobalFiler in terms of the percentage of alleles amplified using the direct PCR approach. Both generated informative profiles from all items and all individuals, at different rates, with Identifiler Plus being informative in a larger percentage of samples. GlobalFiler produced profiles with an average of 60% ± 24% (36 ± 15 alleles) alleles present while Identifiler Plus produced profiles with an average of 96% ± 4% (31 ± 1 alleles) alleles present. A comparison was made between the direct PCR approach and subjecting touched samples to a standard DNA extraction process, both using Identifiler. An average of 4% of profiles were informative for samples that underwent extraction with 100% being informative from the same subset of samples amplified by direct PCR. Our findings further demonstrate the success of direct PCR to enhance the STR DNA profiles from touch DNA. Further, Identifiler Plus was found to generate informative profiles more often than GlobalFiler. Direct PCR is fast, simple, and non-destructive of evidence with the ability to generate informative genetic data where standard methods are likely to fail.

show abstract

Section: Suggested Figurementioning

confidence: 91%

DNA profiles generated from a range of touched sample types

Martin

Blackie

Taylor

et al. 2018

Forensic Science International: Genetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…DNA can be already present or deposited on any surface either by direct or indirect transfer. There is extensive literature available regarding experiments exploring the prevalence, transfer, and persistence of DNA under controlled conditions (Fonneløp, Ramse, Egeland, & Gill, 2017;Lowe, Murray, Whitaker, Tully, & Gill, 2002;Magee et al, 2018;Meakin & Jamieson, 2013;Szkuta et al, 2018;Szkuta, Ballantyne, & van Oorschot, 2017;Taylor et al, 2017) and this type of research is essential to enable accurate probabilities to be assigned to nodes in a network.…”

Section: Construction Of Bayesian Network: Activity Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bayesian networks for the interpretation of biological evidence

Schaapveld

Opperman

Harbison

2019

WIREs Forensic Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In court, it is typical for biological evidence to be reported at a level that only addresses how likely the DNA evidence is if it originated from a particular individual, or individuals. However, there are other questions that could be considered that would be of value in enabling the court, including the jury, to make better informed decisions. For example, although answers to specific questions such as: “Which type of bodily fluid has the DNA originated from?” or, “How was the DNA deposited at the scene?” would be probabilistic in nature, they can be crucial to the outcome of a case. The relationship between the DNA evidence, the source of the DNA and the activity that took place is described in a term called the “hierarchy of propositions.” Currently, such questions are usually answered by scientists subjectively with little to no logical framework to assist them. Bayesian networks have proven to be beneficial in providing logical reasoning by way of a likelihood ratio to help combine subjective, yet, experience‐based, opinions of experts with experimental data when answering questions which can be both complex and uncertain. These networks offer a framework that provides balance, transparency, and robustness in the evaluation of evidence. A current limitation of the use of Bayesian networks includes a lack of understanding of the underlying concepts from both forensic scientists and the courts and consequently a reduced recognition of the potential strengths. This article is categorized under: Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological Evidence

show abstract

“…51 In a very recent study, Magee et al used collars and cuffs of upper garments to determine the presence of DNA. 52 Out of 55 samples taken, non-wearer DNA was recovered, an average of 1.3ng from the collar and 2.7ng from the cuffs. 52 From one particular samples, a non-wear contributed approximately 57% of DNA to a mixture, followed by the wear contributing 37% and a second non-wear, 7%.…”

Section: Indirect Findings Of Secondary Transfermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…52 Out of 55 samples taken, non-wearer DNA was recovered, an average of 1.3ng from the collar and 2.7ng from the cuffs. 52 From one particular samples, a non-wear contributed approximately 57% of DNA to a mixture, followed by the wear contributing 37% and a second non-wear, 7%. 52 Three other non-wearer samples were able to be attributed to spouses of the volunteers.…”

Section: Indirect Findings Of Secondary Transfermentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-analysis of the secondary transfer of DNA

Dunhill

Chapman

2019

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is complex molecule present in nearly every cell of the human body that contains all of an individual's genetic material. Trace DNA has allowed DNA to be detected on everyday objects such as door handles, tables and chairs. Currently, the idea of the secondary transfer of DNA has arisen, involving the transfer of genetic profiles from an individual through a vector and then to final individual or object. This has become a reoccurring term in the court system, as individuals standing trial use this argument for the presence of their DNA. It is therefore hypothesized that through the exploration of literature and completion of a meta-analysis that an appropriate and concise guide will be produced to determine the chances of a secondary transfer event occurring and what conditions are required, to aid Biologists in expert testimony. Database searches were conducted to gain resources in the topic, followed by a number of screens to determine the suitability of articles for the meta-analysis. With the resultant 38 articles, data extraction was additionally carried. However, due to the lack of quantitative variables and results, a meta-analysis was not able to be conducted. It is suggested that in the future, studies publish their results in a more scientifically rigorous manner or allow the access of raw results for external interpretation purposes. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………………………………………………………….

show abstract

Wearer and non-wearer DNA on the collars and cuffs of upper garments of worn clothing

Cited by 36 publications

References 23 publications

DNA profiles generated from a range of touched sample types

DNA profiles generated from a range of touched sample types

Bayesian networks for the interpretation of biological evidence

Meta-analysis of the secondary transfer of DNA

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About