Abstract
The successful recovery of trace or contact DNA is highly variable. It is seemingly
dependent on a wide range of factors, from the characteristics of the donor, substrate
and environment, to the delay between contact and recovery. There is limited research
on the extent of the effect these factors have on trace DNA analysis. This study investigated
the persistence of trace DNA on surfaces relevant to the investigation of burglary
and robbery offences.
The study aimed to limit the number of variables involved to solely determine the
effect of time on DNA recovery. Given that it is difficult to control the quantity
of DNA deposited during a hand contact, human buffy coat and DNA control solution
were chosen as an alternative to give a more accurate measure of quantity. Set volumes
of these solutions were deposited onto outdoor surfaces (window frames and vinyl material
to mimic burglary and ‘bag snatch’ offences) and sterile glass slides stored in a
closed environment in the laboratory, for use as a control. Trace DNA casework data
was also scrutinised to assess the effect of time on DNA recovery from real samples.
The amount of DNA recovered from buffy coat on the outdoor surfaces declined by approximately
half over two weeks, to a negligible amount after six weeks. Profiles could not be
obtained after two weeks. The samples stored in the laboratory were more robust, and
full profiles were obtained after six weeks, the longest time period tested in these
experiments. It is possible that profiles may be obtained from older samples when
kept in similarly favourable conditions.
The experimental results demonstrate that the ability to recover DNA from human cells
on outdoor surfaces decreases significantly over two weeks. Conversely, no clear trends
were identified in the casework data, indicating that many other factors are involved
affecting the recovery of trace DNA. Nevertheless, to ensure that valuable trace evidence
is not lost, it is recommended that crime scenes are processed expeditiously.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 04, 2009
Accepted:
April 6,
2009
Received in revised form:
April 1,
2009
Received:
December 1,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
