title: Following the transfer of DNA: How does the presence of background DNA affect the transfer and detection of a target source of DNA?
abstract: DNA transfer is of increasing importance in crime scene situations, partly due to analytical techniques detecting profiles in ever declining amounts of DNA. Whereas the focus has previously been DNA transfer of target sources, the effects of background DNA on transfer and detection of DNA after multiple contact situations have been much less investigated. This study measured the transfer and detection rates of a specific DNA source in the presence of background DNA sources. The presence of background DNA influenced the transfer of DNA differently depending on the combination of biological material and surface type. The detection of a profile from the target DNA decreased after multiple contact situations, due to the reduced total and relative quantity of target DNA, and the increasing complexity of the mixture. The results of this study contribute to a greater understanding of the effects of background DNA sources on DNA transfer and detection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia; Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia. Electronic address: vanessajaydelehmann@gmail.com.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
authors.affiliation: Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia.
authors.forename: Rah van
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Oorschot
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D053803:Forensic Genetics; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Background DNA; Contamination; DNA; Forensic science; Trace; Transfer