Highlights
- •Varying levels of DNA are observed to accumulate on exhibit bags.
- •DNA was transferred to exhibit bags via direct and in-direct transfer mechanisms.
- •Staff DNA was identified on fifty six percent of samples taken from exhibit bags.
- •DNA from the exhibit was detected on eleven bag exteriors after examination.
- •DNA from the exhibit was detected on one bag before examination.
Abstract
Current forensic DNA profiling kits and techniques enable the detection of trace amounts
of DNA. With advancements in kit sensitivity, there is an increased probability of
detecting DNA from contamination. Research into DNA transfer within operational forensic
laboratories provides insight into the possible mechanisms that may lead to exhibit
contamination. To gain a greater understanding of the potential for evidence bags
to act as DNA transfer vectors, the level of DNA accumulating on the exterior of evidence
bags during the exhibit examination process was investigated. The exterior of 60 evidence
bags were tapelifted before and after the examination of the exhibit inside of the
bag resulting in 120 DNA profiles. These DNA profiles were compared to DNA profiles
of staff working within the building and samples taken from the exhibit inside the
bag. Common DNA profile contributors from each sample were also identified through
STRmix™ mixture to mixture analysis. The average DNA quantity and number of profile
contributors was higher in samples taken from the bag before exhibit examination than
after examination. Fifty six percent of all samples taken identified a match between
DNA recovered from the evidence bag and at least one staff member. On 11 bags, a common
contributor was identified between the exhibit in the bag and the exhibit package
post-examination. In one instance a DNA profile, matching that of a donor, on the
exhibit bag before examination was also detected on a sample taken from the exhibit,
raising the possibility of outer bag-to-exhibit DNA contamination. This study demonstrates
that operational forensic laboratories must consider exhibit packages as a potential
source of DNA contamination and evaluate their exhibit handling and storage procedures
accordingly.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 07, 2021
Accepted:
December 5,
2021
Received in revised form:
November 8,
2021
Received:
August 15,
2021
Identification
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