Trace evidence characteristics of DNA: A preliminary investigation of the persistence of DNA at crime scenes

Raymond, Jennifer; Oorschot, Roland A.H. van; Gunn, Peter; Walsh, Simon J.; Roux, Claude

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2009.04.002

Cited by 103 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Some Bintrinsic^variables qualifying the person as Bgood^or Bbad shedder^ [14] could be individual skin conditions, maybe altered by dermatological diseases [17], age [18], or gender. BExtrinsic^variables also were described such as different surface conditions and different manners of DNA application [19,20]. Besides nuclear DNA from keratinocytes [17], a recent study suggests Btrace DNA^to be derived from sebaceous glands [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Everything clean? Transfer of DNA traces between textiles in the washtub

Kamphausen¹,

Fandel²,

Gutmann

et al. 2015

Int J Legal Med

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Forensic genetic analysis of items possibly handled by a suspect or a victim is frequently inquired by the law enforcement authorities, since DNA left on touched objects can often be linked to an individual. Due to technical improvement, even poor traces, which seemed to be unsuitable for DNA analysis a few years ago, may be amplified successfully today. Yet, DNA can be transferred to a crime scene artificially or unintentionally without any primary contact between the individual and the object found at the crime scene, the so-called secondary transfer or indirect transfer in general. In this study, "secondary transfer" scenarios with cells and DNA of different origins under wet conditions were investigated. Transfer was simulated as either "washing by hand" in a washtub or as "machine laundry" in a washing machine. As expected, major differences were seen between blood stains and epithelial abrasions. DNA from blood donors could be detected clearly both on the donor and on the acceptor textile, regardless of washing method. Regarding epithelial abrasions, simulating worn clothes, after washing by hand, only little residual DNA was found, and partial profiles were displayed on the donor textile, while transfer to the acceptor textile occurred even less and not in noteworthy amount and quality. Single alleles could be found both on donor textiles and acceptor textiles after simulated machine wash, but no reliable DNA profile could be verified after laundry in machine. Therefore, a DNA transfer from one worn cloth (without blood stains) to another textile in the washing machine seems to be extremely unlikely.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Everything clean? Transfer of DNA traces between textiles in the washtub

Kamphausen¹,

Fandel²,

Gutmann

et al. 2015

Int J Legal Med

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show abstract

“…Some authors propose that due to their individual skin conditions, some individuals seem to be "good shedders", who constantly leave detectable amounts of DNA on a surface contacted, while others do not shed so much DNA during close contact [8][9][10]. Other studies investigated predominantly the influence of surface conditions and the manner of DNA application [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Good shedder or bad shedder—the influence of skin diseases on forensic DNA analysis from epithelial abrasions

Kamphausen¹,

Schadendorf

Wurmb‐Schwark

et al. 2011

Int J Legal Med

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The successful analysis of weak biological stains by means of highly sensitive short tandem repeat (STR) amplification has been increased significantly over the recent years. Nevertheless, the percentage of reliably analysable samples varies considerably between different crime scene investigations even if the nature of the stains appears to be the same. It has been proposed that the amount and quality of DNA left at a crime scene may be due to individual skin conditions (among other factors). Therefore, we investigated DNA from handprints from 30 patients acutely suffering from skin diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or skin ulcer before and after therapy by STR amplification using the new and highly sensitive Powerplex® ESX17 kit in comparison to 22 healthy controls. Handprints from atopic dermatitis patients showed a correct and reliable DNA profile in 90% and 40% of patients before and after therapy, respectively. Regarding psoriasis patients, we detected full DNA profiles in only 64% and 55% of handprints before and after therapy. In contrast, in ulcus patients and controls, full DNA profiles were obtained in much lower numbers. We conclude that active skin diseases like atopic dermatitis or psoriasis have a considerable impact on the amplificable DNA left by skin contact with surfaces. Since up to 7% of adults in European countries suffer from one of these diseases, this could explain at least partially the varying quality of DNA from weak stains.

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“…Additionally, a 'blind-swabbing' approach will necessarily co-sample cellular material from the different individuals whose cells are present on the item, even if the individuals' cells are located in spatially distinct locations on the item. The recovery of admixed DNA profiles, which are often challenging to resolve particularly with low template DNA samples, is frequently observed 8,10,11 and in many instances will be a consequential artifact of the swabbing process itself.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic ‘Touch DNA’ Evidence

Farash

Hanson

Ballantyne

2015

JoVE

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DNA profiles can be obtained from 'touch DNA' evidence, which comprises microscopic traces of human biological material. Current methods for the recovery of trace DNA employ cotton swabs or adhesive tape to sample an area of interest. However, such a 'blind-swabbing' approach will co-sample cellular material from the different individuals, even if the individuals' cells are located in geographically distinct locations on the item. Thus, some of the DNA mixtures encountered in touch DNA samples are artificially created by the swabbing itself. In some instances, a victim's DNA may be found in significant excess thus masking any potential perpetrator's DNA.In order to circumvent the challenges with standard recovery and analysis methods, we have developed a lower cost, 'smart analysis' method that results in enhanced genetic analysis of touch DNA evidence. We describe an optimized and efficient micromanipulation recovery strategy for the collection of bio-particles present in touch DNA samples, as well as an enhanced amplification strategy involving a one-step 5 µl microvolume lysis/STR amplification to permit the recovery of STR profiles from the bio-particle donor(s). The use of individual or few (i.e., "clumps") bioparticles results in the ability to obtain single source profiles. These procedures represent alternative enhanced techniques for the isolation and analysis of single bioparticles from forensic touch DNA evidence. While not necessary in every forensic investigation, the method could be highly beneficial for the recovery of a single source perpetrator DNA profile in cases involving physical assault (e.g., strangulation) that may not be possible using standard analysis techniques. Additionally, the strategies developed here offer an opportunity to obtain genetic information at the single cell level from a variety of other non-forensic trace biological material.

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Trace evidence characteristics of DNA: A preliminary investigation of the persistence of DNA at crime scenes

Cited by 103 publications

References 20 publications

Everything clean? Transfer of DNA traces between textiles in the washtub

Everything clean? Transfer of DNA traces between textiles in the washtub

Good shedder or bad shedder—the influence of skin diseases on forensic DNA analysis from epithelial abrasions

Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic ‘Touch DNA’ Evidence

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Trace evidence characteristics of DNA: A preliminary investigation of the persistence of DNA at crime scenes

Cited by 103 publications

References 20 publications

Everything clean? Transfer of DNA traces between textiles in the washtub

Everything clean? Transfer of DNA traces between textiles in the washtub

Good shedder or bad shedder—the influence of skin diseases on forensic DNA analysis from epithelial abrasions

Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic &#8216;Touch DNA&#8217; Evidence

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Product

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Enhanced Genetic Analysis of Single Human Bioparticles Recovered by Simplified Micromanipulation from Forensic ‘Touch DNA’ Evidence