Illuminating touch deposits through cellular characterization of hand rinses and body fluids with nucleic acid fluorescence

Burrill, Julia; Daniel, Barbara; Frascione, Nunzianda

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102269

Cited by 16 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Inferring the body fluid(s) present in stains is, in the context of secondary (or more) transfer, important for two reasons: (1) to assess the cellular content of the primary stain in relation to the DNA recovered from the evidentiary sample as some fluids have very high cellular content (for example nasal secretion), whilst others contain much fewer cells (for instance urine) and (2) to assess whether the body fluid involved is likely to occur in what is suggested) to be the primary location [41]. For example, intimate body fluids (vaginal cellular material, menstrual secretion, semen) can be found in underpants of the wearer, but are less expected on hands or touched items [42][43][44]. Saliva and nasal secretion, on the other hand, can reside on hands or items, and blood could occur when people have (small) wounds.…”

Section: Addressing Alternative Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Identification of Body Fluids and Tissues: A Crucial Link in the Investigation and Solution of Crime

Sijen

Harbison

2021

Genes

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Body fluid and body tissue identification are important in forensic science as they can provide key evidence in a criminal investigation and may assist the court in reaching conclusions. Establishing a link between identifying the fluid or tissue and the DNA profile adds further weight to this evidence. Many forensic laboratories retain techniques for the identification of biological fluids that have been widely used for some time. More recently, many different biomarkers and technologies have been proposed for identification of body fluids and tissues of forensic relevance some of which are now used in forensic casework. Here, we summarize the role of body fluid/ tissue identification in the evaluation of forensic evidence, describe how such evidence is detected at the crime scene and in the laboratory, elaborate different technologies available to do this, and reflect real life experiences. We explain how, by including this information, crucial links can be made to aid in the investigation and solution of crime.

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Section: Addressing Alternative Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Identification of Body Fluids and Tissues: A Crucial Link in the Investigation and Solution of Crime

Sijen

Harbison

2021

Genes

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“…Several other papers demonstrated or alluded to observing differences in the quantities of DNA deposited, which was attributed to differences in shedder status, for example [51,78,150,152]. However, Miller et al [95] found that individuals who deposited extremely large amounts of DNA by touch one day may deposit no detectable DNA on another day despite a restriction on handwashing close in time to deposition, leading the authors to question the concept that there are consistently good shedders, at least through the palms of hands.…”

Section: Shedder Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To explore source differences and gain insight into associations with DNA content, Burrill et al [51] used flow cytometry and microscopic examination to generate granularity, size and nucleic acid fluorescence data of washed and unwashed hands, as well as saliva, nasal and eye wash that could be sources of transferred DNA onto hands. They found that hand rinses consisted mainly of anucleate corneocytes, many of which also stained positive for nucleic acids, and suggested the need for further research on the recovery and analysis of corneocyte DNA, which they report was previously assumed to be negligible.…”

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confidence: 99%

DNA Transfer in Forensic Science: Recent Progress towards Meeting Challenges

Oorschot

Meakin

Kokshoorn

et al. 2021

Genes

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Understanding the factors that may impact the transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery of DNA (DNA-TPPR), and the availability of data to assign probabilities to DNA quantities and profile types being obtained given particular scenarios and circumstances, is paramount when performing, and giving guidance on, evaluations of DNA findings given activity level propositions (activity level evaluations). In late 2018 and early 2019, three major reviews were published on aspects of DNA-TPPR, with each advocating the need for further research and other actions to support the conduct of DNA-related activity level evaluations. Here, we look at how challenges are being met, primarily by providing a synopsis of DNA-TPPR-related articles published since the conduct of these reviews and briefly exploring some of the actions taken by industry stakeholders towards addressing identified gaps. Much has been carried out in recent years, and efforts continue, to meet the challenges to continually improve the capacity of forensic experts to provide the guidance sought by the judiciary with respect to the transfer of DNA.

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“…The shed corneocytes from handled objects may be sufficiently distinct to permit separation from other cell types or even by donor, using morphology and autofluorescence [27,28]. When hand rinses were separated using flow cytometry, corneocyte cells indicated much higher levels of nucleic acid fluorescence than the subcellular fragment population [29]. Some studies report negligible DNA from these shed cells, while some yield useable DNA levels or full profiles, leaving ambiguity and variability [14,30,31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accumulation of endogenous and exogenous nucleic acids in “Touch DNA” components on hands

et al. 2021

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Successful forensic DNA profiling from handled items is increasingly routine in casework. This "touch DNA" is thought to contain both cellular and acellular nucleic acid sources. However, there is little clarity on the origins or characteristics of this material. The cellular component consists of anucleate, terminally differentiated corneocytes (assumed to lack DNA), and the occasional nucleated cell. The acellular DNA source is fragmentary, presumably cell breakdown products. This study examines the relative contributions each component makes to the hand-secretions (endogenous) and hand-accumulations (exogenous) by recovering rinses from the inside and outside of worn gloves. Additionally, cellular and acellular DNA was measured at timepoints up to 2 h after hand washing, both with and without interim contact. Microscopic examination confirmed cell morphology and presence of nucleic acids. Following the novel application of a hair keratinocyte lysis method and plasma-DNA fragment purification to hand rinse samples, DNA profiles were generated from both fractions. Exogenous cell-free DNA is shown to be a significant source of touch DNA, which reaccumulates quickly, although its amplifiable nuclear alleles are limited. Endogenous DNA is mostly cellular in origin and provides more allelic information consistently over time.

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Illuminating touch deposits through cellular characterization of hand rinses and body fluids with nucleic acid fluorescence

Cited by 16 publications

References 31 publications

On the Identification of Body Fluids and Tissues: A Crucial Link in the Investigation and Solution of Crime

On the Identification of Body Fluids and Tissues: A Crucial Link in the Investigation and Solution of Crime

DNA Transfer in Forensic Science: Recent Progress towards Meeting Challenges

Accumulation of endogenous and exogenous nucleic acids in “Touch DNA” components on hands

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