The use of FTA cards to acquire DNA profiles from postmortem cases

Gréen, Henrik; Tillmar, Andreas; Pettersson, G.; Montelius, Kerstin

doi:10.1007/s00414-019-02015-2

Cited by 12 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…FTA cards are still commonly used in criminal cases (Green et al 2019), in part because of their long-term storage capabilities (Rahikainen et al 2016). We provide a baseline model for the absorbance properties of hemoglobin and degradation of DNA in a TSD context (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploratory Time Since Deposition Analysis of Whole Blood Using Metrics of DNA Degradation and Visible Absorbance Spectroscopy

Stotesbury

Cossette

Newell-Bell

et al. 2020

Pure Appl. Geophys.

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Establishing the age of a bloodstain provides forensic investigators with critical information on the time that a crime occurred. Our work presents a time since deposition (TSD) analysis that integrates visible absorbance spectroscopy and high-resolution automated electrophoresis data to quantify light absorbance and DNA degradation of whole blood over time. Passive bloodstains were created and treated on either FTA cards without anticoagulant or in microcentrifuge tubes with anticoagulant and tested over 11 different timepoints across 15 days at controlled temperature and relative humidity. A total of 41 variables were analyzed using linear regression, with six variables showing statistical independence and a relationship to time. A general negative trend was noticeable for the visible absorbance of a and b bands and concentration of high molecular weight DNA of the samples over time. We then conducted a principle component analysis (PCA) of all variables; the principal components integrated both DNA and absorbance data and generally improved the model fit (i.e. increased R 2 ). Importantly, our PCA findings demonstrated that the experimental effect of treatment and donor was largely accounted for in PC1, with PC2 reflecting the true relationship of the integrated metrics to time. Our data set and models are publicly available in an effort to build upon this study by incorporating environmental variables.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploratory Time Since Deposition Analysis of Whole Blood Using Metrics of DNA Degradation and Visible Absorbance Spectroscopy

Stotesbury

Cossette

Newell-Bell

et al. 2020

Pure Appl. Geophys.

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“…The technology of rapid kit method simplifies collection and storage of nucleic acids for molecular techniques and genetic analysis, thus reducing costs and time required [2]. Furthermore, the cards have been used to store different samples and for cytological specimens that should undergo various tests and molecular analyses [35,36] in addition to Green et al [37], who also proved that the tissue for different organs is suitable to be placed onto cards and genetic profile can be evaluated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The FTA method is cheap, rapid, and efficient for transporting bacterial DNA [37]. The structure of FTA cards and other commercial cards is paper-based system storing nucleic acids direct or contact to an organ [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Flinders Technology Associates card for transporting bacterial isolates and retrieval of bacterial DNA after various storage conditions

Shalaby

Bakry

Mohamed³

et al. 2020

Vet World

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Background and Aim: Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards simplify sample storage, transport, and extraction by reducing cost and time for diagnosis. This study evaluated the FTA suitability for safe transport and storage of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells of animal origin on its liquid culture form and from organ impression smears (tissues) under the same routine condition of microbiological laboratory along with detecting their nucleic acid over different storage conditions. Materials and Methods: Increase in bacterial count from 104 to 107 (colony-forming units/mL) of 78 isolates representing seven bacterial species was applied onto cards. FTA cards were grouped and inoculated by these bacteria and then stored at different conditions of 24-27°C, 4°C, and –20°C for 24 h, for 2 weeks, for 1 and 3 month storage, respectively. Bacteriological examination was done, after which bacterial DNA was identified using specific primers for each bacterial type and detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The total percentage of recovered bacteria from FTA cards was 66.7% at 24-27–C for 24 h, the detection limit was 100% in Gram-positive species, while it was 57.4% in Gram-negative ones. Regarding viable cell detection from organ impression smears, it was successful under the previous conditions. No live bacterial cells were observed by bacteriological isolation rather than only at 24-27°C for 24 h storage. All bacterial DNA were sufficiently confirmed by the PCR technique at different conditions. Conclusion: Overall, the FTA card method was observed to be a valid tool for nucleic acid purification for bacteria of animal origin in the form of culture or organ smears regardless of its Gram type and is used for a short time only 24 h for storage and transport of live bacteria specifically Gram-positive type. Moreover, the bacterial nucleic acid was intact after storage in –20°C for 3 months and was PCR amplifiable.

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“…The chromatographic separation was carried out in reverse phase, with mobile phases consisting of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in bidistilled water and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile. The elution was performed in gradient mode and three different elutions were used and were previously published [13][14][15]. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was optimized using nitrogen as collision gas (with pressure set at level 5) and a dwell time of 30-50 ms. Two transitions for each substance were chosen for identification.…”

Section: Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Whatman™ FTA (Flinders Technology Associates) cards represent another valid type of support for the collection, transport, storage and analysis of biological samples. One of the main application areas is genetics [15], as these paper supports are soaked in chemicals that cause lysis of cells, denaturation of proteins and protect nucleic acids from nuclease action, oxidation and UV damage, keeping them intact for future analysis. The papers also rapidly inactivate any virus or organism present in the sample and prevent the growth of microorganisms, ensuring the safe handling of cards without risk of biohazards.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison between two different dried blood substrates in determination of psychoactive substances in postmortem samples

et al. 2021

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Purpose Whatman™ 903 cards represent a valid type of support for collection, storage, and analysis of dried blood spots (DBS). Whatman™ FTA (Flinders Technology Associates) are a type of cards soaked in chemicals that cause denaturation of proteins, while preserving DNA and ensuring the safe handling of DBS; to date, these cards are still rarely employed in forensic toxicology. The aim of this study was to analyze several psychoactive substances on not-dried blood on the two different cards and to compare the qualitative and quantitative results. Methods Twenty cardiac postmortem blood samples were collected and deposed on Whatman™ 903 and Whatman™ FTA cards. Spots and not-dried blood were analyzed following our validated and previously published liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry methods. Results We were able to identify: eight drugs of abuse and their metabolites (15 cases), five benzodiazepines and their metabolites (3 cases), six antidepressants (6 cases) and two antipsychotics (3 cases). We observed a perfect qualitative correspondence and a general good quantitative correlation between data obtained from not-dried blood and the two different DBS cards, except for alprazolam, diazepam, desmethyldiazepam, fluoxetine and sertraline, that showed a lower concentration on FTA. Additional experiments suggest that the chemicals, adsorbed on FTA, are not the cause of the loss of signal observed for the substances previously mentioned and that methanol should be preferred as extraction solvent. Conclusions This study proved that FTA cards are a good and a hazard-free alternative sample storage method for analysis of several psychoactive substances in postmortem blood.

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The use of FTA cards to acquire DNA profiles from postmortem cases

Cited by 12 publications

References 17 publications

An Exploratory Time Since Deposition Analysis of Whole Blood Using Metrics of DNA Degradation and Visible Absorbance Spectroscopy

An Exploratory Time Since Deposition Analysis of Whole Blood Using Metrics of DNA Degradation and Visible Absorbance Spectroscopy

Evaluating Flinders Technology Associates card for transporting bacterial isolates and retrieval of bacterial DNA after various storage conditions

A comparison between two different dried blood substrates in determination of psychoactive substances in postmortem samples

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