Characterization of human DNA in environmental samples

Toothman, Mary; Kester, Karen M.; Champagne, Jarrod R.; Cruz, Tracey Dawson; Street, W. Scott; Brown, Bonnie L.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.01.016

Cited by 39 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(20 reference statements)

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“…Similarly, spider web can serve as an eDNA source for both the spider and its prey (Xu et al 2014). Human eDNA can be found in settled dust and the bodies of small household insects (Toothman et al 2008;Kester et al 2010). Researchers have also assessed benthic invertebrate biodiversity by sampling preservative ethanol .…”

Section: Alternative Environmental Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecology of environmental DNA and implications for conservation genetics

2015

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Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to the genetic material that can be extracted from bulk environmental samples such as soil, water, and even air. The rapidly expanding study of eDNA has generated unprecedented ability to detect species and conduct genetic analyses for conservation, management, and research, particularly in scenarios where collection of whole organisms is impractical or impossible. While the number of studies demonstrating successful eDNA detection has increased rapidly in recent years, less research has explored the ''ecology'' of eDNA-myriad interactions between extraorganismal genetic material and its environment-and its influence on eDNA detection, quantification, analysis, and application to conservation and research. Here, we outline a framework for understanding the ecology of eDNA, including the origin, state, transport, and fate of extraorganismal genetic material. Using this framework, we review and synthesize the findings of eDNA studies from diverse environments, taxa, and fields of study to highlight important concepts and knowledge gaps in eDNA study and application. Additionally, we identify frontiers of conservation-focused eDNA application where we see the most potential for growth, including the use of eDNA for estimating population size, population genetic and genomic analyses via eDNA, inclusion of other indicator biomolecules such as environmental RNA or proteins, automated sample collection and analysis, and consideration of an expanded array of creative environmental samples. We discuss how a more complete understanding of the ecology of eDNA is integral to advancing these frontiers and maximizing the potential of future eDNA applications in conservation and research.

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Section: Alternative Environmental Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecology of environmental DNA and implications for conservation genetics

2015

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“…Kromosomski DNK može se izolirati iz svakog biološkog materijala koji sadrži jezgre stanica. Logično, DNK se ne može dobiti iz seruma, suza ili znoja zbog toga jer ti biološki tragovi nemaju stanica s jezgrom 6 . Na osnovi činjenice je li poznato kome pripada biološki trag, on se označava kao nesporan ili sporan 7 .…”

Section: Krv I Tragovi Krviunclassified

Biological traces at the crime scene

et al. 2018

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Sažetak. Biološki tragovi koji se pronađu na mjestu nekog događaja su ljudskog, životinjskog i biljnog podrijetla. Većinom su ljudskog podrijetla -dlake, kosa, krv, sperma, slina, znoj i suze, ali i nokti, zubi i komadići kosti. U raspravi o biološkim tragovima razlikujemo nesporne uzorke i sporne tragove. Nesporne uzorke uzimamo od osumnjičenih, oštećenih i svih ostalih osoba koje su mogle doći u kontakt s tragovima ili predmetima na mjestu događaja, a služe za isključenje. Sporni tragovi su tragovi pronađeni na mjestu događaja, na predmetima ili osobama koje su povezane s mjestom događaja ili počinjenim kaznenim dijelom, a čiji su identitet i uloga u događaju poznati. Prilikom uzimanja bioloških tragova potrebno se pridržavati pravila antikontaminacije i sigurnosti rada s biološkim materijalom, uključujući i mjere samozaštite. Cilj je sudskomedicionskle obrade svih bioloških tragova osigurati dovoljnu količinu kvalitetnog DNK-a koji će se moći upotrijebiti u individualizaciji svakog pojedinog biološkog traga. Osim u tom analitičkom koraku kojim se iz traga nedvojbeno izvodi dokaz, biološki tragovi mogu se obraditi i nekim jednostavnijim, jeftinijim i manje pouzdanim metodama. U ovom preglednom članku obradili smo i sudskomedicinski značaj tragova sperme. Spermu najčešće analiziramo kod kaznenih djela protiv spolne slobode i spolnog ćudoređa. Analiza kose i dlaka koristi se i za povezivanje počinitelja s mjestom događaja ili žrtvom i za razne toksikološke analize, a tragove sline koristimo i za određivanje krvne grupe.Ključne riječi: biološki trag; DNK analiza; profiliranje Abstract. Biological traces found at the crime scene are of human, animal and plant origin. Among them the most commonly present are of human origin -hair, blood, sperm, saliva, sweat and tears, but also nails, teeth and bone bits. When considering biological traces as evidence, we distinguish incontestable and debatable traces. Incontestable samples are taken from suspects, alive victims and from all other people that may have been in contact with the traces or objects at the crime scene. Debatable traces are found at the scene of events, on objects or people associated with the venue or criminal offence, whose identity and role in the event is known. When taking biological traces, it is necessary to comply with the anti-contamination and safety rules regarding handling with biological material, including self-protection measures. The goal of processing biological traces that are usable as court evidence is to provide a sufficient amount of DNA, which can be used in the individualization of each biological trace. However, in addition to this analytical step by which evidence is undoubtedly drawn from the trace, biological traces can be treated with some simpler, cheaper and less reliable methods. In this review article, we also discussed the judicial significance of sperm traces. Sperm is often analyzed for crimes impinging on sexual freedom. Hair samples can be used for toxicological analysis and to connect perpetrators to an event or vict...

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“…Rutty and Graham (2005) described airborne DNA contamination in mortuaries. Methods were described in order to avoid the possibility of contaminations:  To perform analyses about the persistence of DNA on different kinds of surfaces in various environmental conditions (Toothman et al, 2008;Rutty et al, 2003;Cook et Dixon, 2007);  To improve and standardize the sample collection methodologies in order to improve the targeting of the samples and to decrease unwanted underlying DNA;  To collect the profiles of all the persons involved in the collecting and laboratory steps to recognize a contamination coming from these professionals;  Some laboratories require samples from the area immediately adjacent to the target area to have a so called "blank sample". The operating procedures on the crime scene must be precisely fixed to minimize the possibility of contaminations (Rutty et al, 2003):  To avoid breathing, talking and of course coughing during the sampling step in restricting the access of non specialist investigators to the scene;  The use full-body scene suit (to avoid contamination by cell shedding coming from exposed areas of skin), hood, hair net, gloves and mouth masks by all the investigators in charge of the sampling step;  To avoid direct touching of the evidences containing the DNA and changing gloves and masks regularly at the crime scene and obviously in the laboratories;  All the results are compared against the database containing the DNA profiles of all the persons who were involved in all the steps of the sampling and laboratory processing of the evidences in order to detect contaminations coming from them;  To use DNA-free disposable equipment to collect the DNA on the target surfaces (Van Oorschot et al, 2005), and to systematically decontaminate thoroughly all the devices which would be in physical contact with the sample.…”

Section: Contaminations Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%