STR genotyping and mtDNA sequencing of latent fingerprint on paper.
A systematic study was conducted to investigate whether DNA can be successfully extracted from latent fingerprints deposited on ordinary paper and analysed using short tandem repeat profiling and mitochondrial DNA sequencing. In order to evaluate the performance of latent fingerprint analysis in a criminal case, experiments with varying conditions were carried out to improve our understanding of low copy number (LCN) DNA typing. After optimising the extraction methods to achieve increased sensitivity, the examination of touched paper can routinely yield the STR profile of the individual who has touched it. A fingerprint can therefore be considered as a potential source of DNA for genetic identification. Nevertheless, the findings of our "after enhancement experiment" (using chemically or physically pre-treated fingerprints), and our "mixture experiment" (using fingerprints from three to four people on the same sheet of paper) help to define the limitations of the low copy number PCR technique in forensic casework.
Balogh
M Kinga
MK
Molecular Archaeology Group, Institute of Anthropology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Colonel Kleinmann Weg 2, D-55099 Mainz, Germany.
Burger
Joachim
J
Bender
Klaus
K
Schneider
Peter M
PM
Alt
Kurt W
KW
D000483:Alleles; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D010209:Paper; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial