title: Forensic comparison of soils by bacterial community DNA profiling.
abstract: This preliminary investigation has shown that a soil microbial community DNA profile can be obtained from the small sample of soil recovered from the sole of a shoe, and from soil stains on clothing. We have also shown that these profiles are representative of the site of collection and therefore could potentially be used as associative evidence to prove a link between suspects and crime scenes. Soil community profiles were obtained using the T-RFLP fingerprinting method that uses fluorescent primer technology and semi-automated analysis techniques similar to those used in human DNA profiling in forensic laboratories.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Kenepuru Science Centre, Porirua, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jacqui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horswell
authors.forename: Steve J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cordiner
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Maas
authors.forename: Tania M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: K Björn W
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Tom W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Speir
authors.forename: Balbina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nogales
authors.forename: A Mark
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Osborn
mesh_terms: D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D003020:Clothing; D003418:Criminology / Q000379:methods; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D005827:Genetics, Microbial / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012775:Shoes / Q000145:classification; D012988:Soil Microbiology