title: Leading-edge forensic DNA analyses and the necessity of including crime scene investigators, police officers and technicians in a DNA elimination database.
abstract: In recent years, sophisticated technology has significantly increased the sensitivity and analytical power of genetic analyses so that very little starting material may now produce viable genetic profiles. This sensitivity however, has also increased the risk of detecting unknown genetic profiles assumed to be that of the perpetrator, yet originate from extraneous sources such as from crime scene workers. These contaminants may mislead investigations, keeping criminal cases active and unresolved for long spans of time. Voluntary submission of DNA samples from crime scene workers is fairly low, therefore we have created a promotional method for our staff elimination database that has resulted in a significant increase in voluntary samples since 2011. Our database enforces privacy safeguards and allows for optional anonymity to all staff members. We also offer information sessions at various police precincts to advise crime scene workers of the importance and success of our staff elimination database. This study, a pioneer in its field, has obtained 327 voluntary submissions from crime scene workers to date, of which 46 individual profiles (14%) have been matched to 58 criminal cases. By implementing our methods and respect for individual privacy, forensic laboratories everywhere may see similar growth and success in explaining unidentified genetic profiles in stagnate criminal cases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale, Direction Biologie/ADN, 1701 Parthenais, Montréal, Québec H2K 3S7, Canada. Electronic address: martine.lapointe@msp.gouv.qc.ca.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lapointe
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale, Direction Biologie/ADN, 1701 Parthenais, Montréal, Québec H2K 3S7, Canada. Electronic address: anita.rogic@mail.mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rogic
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale, Direction Biologie/ADN, 1701 Parthenais, Montréal, Québec H2K 3S7, Canada. Electronic address: sarah.bourgoin@msp.gouv.qc.ca.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bourgoin
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale, Direction Biologie/ADN, 1701 Parthenais, Montréal, Québec H2K 3S7, Canada. Electronic address: christine.jolicoeur@msp.gouv.qc.ca.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jolicoeur
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale, Direction Biologie/ADN, 1701 Parthenais, Montréal, Québec H2K 3S7, Canada. Electronic address: diane.seguin@msp.gouv.qc.ca.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Séguin
mesh_terms: D003415:Crime; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D053803:Forensic Genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016495:Police
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA contamination; Forensic DNA analysis; Police elimination database; Quality control; Staff elimination database