title: Assessing the Risk of Secondary Transfer Via Fingerprint Brush Contamination Using Enhanced Sensitivity DNA Analysis Methods.
abstract: Experiments were performed to determine the extent of cross-contamination of DNA resulting from secondary transfer due to fingerprint brushes used on multiple items of evidence. Analysis of both standard and low copy number (LCN) STR was performed. Two different procedures were used to enhance sensitivity, post-PCR cleanup and increased cycle number. Under standard STR typing procedures, some additional alleles were produced that were not present in the controls or blanks; however, there was insufficient data to include the contaminant donor as a contributor. Inclusion of the contaminant donor did occur for one sample using post-PCR cleanup. Detection of the contaminant donor occurred for every replicate of the 31 cycle amplifications; however, using LCN interpretation recommendations for consensus profiles, only one sample would include the contaminant donor. Our results indicate that detection of secondary transfer of DNA can occur through fingerprint brush contamination and is enhanced using LCN-DNA methods.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199.
authors: Paula-Andrea
authors: PA
authors: Bolivar
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Tracey
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199.
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: McCord
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA typing; fingerprint brush contamination; forensic science; low copy number; post-PCR cleanup; secondary transfer