Highlights
- •DNA collection devices were placed at varying distances from individuals.
- •Amount of deposited DNA was measured at varying time points for each distance.
- •Time, distance and donor all had an effect on DNA transfer frequency and amount.
- •This provide useful data to assign probabilities in activity level evaluation.
- •Information should be used when considering contamination prevention practices.
Abstract
Due to advances in DNA profiling sensitivity as well as the implementation of various
types of software to analyse these profiles, forensic biologists can provide opinions
about results generated from very low levels of template DNA. The ability to obtain
DNA profiles from such ‘trace’ DNA brings into question the mechanisms of transfer
which led to it being deposited. This study investigates the level of DNA that is
deposited by an individual to their work environment. DNA collection plates were placed
at distances from 0.5 to 5 m from individuals’ office desks and left for 1 day to
6 weeks before being swabbed and profiled with GlobalFiler. The results from this
study indicate that an individual can deposit DNA in areas they were present, even
if surfaces and/or objects were not directly contacted and even after only one day.
Distance from a person, the length of time and the person themselves all play a role
in the quantity of DNA that is deposited to one’s surroundings.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 05, 2021
Accepted:
July 3,
2021
Received in revised form:
June 24,
2021
Received:
May 19,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
