Abstract
The correct identification of the biological samples under analysis is crucial in
forensic investigation in that it represents the pivotal issue attesting that the
resulting genetic profiles are fully reliable in terms of weight of the evidence.
The study reported herein shows that “touch DNA” secondary transfer is indeed possible
from person to person and, in turn, from person to object depending on the specific
sebaceous or non-sebaceous skin area previously touched. In addition, we demonstrate
the presence of fragmented single stranded DNA specifically immunodetected in the
vast majority of cells forming the sebaceous gland but not in the epidermis layers,
strongly indicating that sebaceous fluid represents an important vector responsible
for DNA transfer. In view of our results, forensic investigations need to take into
account that the propensity to leave behind genetic material through contact could
depend from the individual ability to shed sebaceous fluid on the skin surface.
Keywords
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Forensic Science International: GeneticsAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- DNA fingerprints from fingerprints.Nature. 1997; 387: 767
- Archived or directly swabbed latent fingerprints as a DNA source for STR typing.Forensic Sci. Int. 2002; 127: 128-130
- Forensic trace DNA: a review.Investig. Genet. 2010; : 1-14
- The propensity of individuals to deposit DNA and secondary transfer of low level DNA from individuals to inert surfaces.Forensic Sci. Int. 2002; 129: 25-34
- Assessment of individual shedder status and implication for secondary DNA transfer.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. Suppl. Ser. 2008; 1: 415-417
- Morphological study of fragmented DNA on touched objects.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2008; 3: 32-36
- Cell free DNA as a component of forensic evidence recovered from touched surfaces.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2012; 6: 26-30
- Specific and sensitive mRNA biomarkers for the identification of skin in “touch DNA” evidence.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2012; 6: 548-558
- An evaluation of the transfer of saliva-derived DNA.Int. J. Legal Med. 2012; 126: 851-861
- The tendency of individuals to transfer DNA to handled items.Forensic Sci. Int. 2007; 168: 162-168
- Investigation of secondary DNA transfer of skin cells under controlled test conditions.Legal Med. 2010; 12: 117-120
- Fingerprints as evidence for a genetic profile: morphological study on fingerprints and analysis of exogenous and individual factors affecting DNA typing.J. Forensic Sci. 2003; 48: 586-592
- STR profiles from DNA samples with “Undetected” or Low Quantifiler™ results.J. Forensic Sci. 2009; 54: 103-107
- The regulation of skin pigmentation.J. Biol. Chem. 2007; 282 (review): 27557-27561
- Physiological factors that regulate skin pigmentation.Biofactors. 2009; 35 (review): 193-199
- The quest for the mechanism of melanin transfer.Traffic. 2006; 7 (review): 769-778
- Trace DNA: a review, discussion of theory and application of the transfer of trace quantities of DNA through skin contact.J. Forensic Sci. 2002; 47: 442-450
- Getting blood from a stone: ultrasensitive forensic DNA profiling of microscopic bio-particles recovered from “touch DNA” evidence.Methods Mol. Biol. 2013; 1039: 3-17
- Touch DNA collection versus firearm fingerprinting: comparing evidence production and identification outcomes.J. Forensic Sci. 2013; 58: 601-608
- Forensic collection and application to investigations.J. Assoc. Crime Scene Reconstr. 2012; 18: 1-5
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 24, 2014
Accepted:
March 10,
2014
Received in revised form:
January 24,
2014
Received:
November 9,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
