The Recovery and Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA from Exploded Pipe Bombs* |
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Authors: | David R Foran PhD Michael E Gehring MS Shawn E Stallworth |
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Institution: | 1. Forensic Science Program, School of Criminal Justice and Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.;2. Forensic Science Program, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.;3. Present address: Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Forensic Biology, Decatur, GA.;4. Bomb Squad, Forensic Science Division, Michigan State Police, Lansing, MI. |
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Abstract: | Abstract: Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) represent one of the most common modes of arbitrarily injuring or killing human beings. Because of the heat generated by, and destruction to, an IED postconflagration, most methods for identifying who assembled the device are ineffective. In the research presented, steel pipe bombs were mock‐assembled by volunteers, and the bombs detonated under controlled conditions. The resultant shrapnel was collected and swabbed for residual cellular material. Mitochondrial DNA profiles were generated and compared blind to the pool of individuals who assembled the bombs. Assemblers were correctly identified 50% of the time, while another 19% could be placed into a group of three individuals with shared haplotypes. Only one bomb was assigned incorrectly. In some instances a contaminating profile (mixture) was also observed. Taken together, the results speak to the extreme sensitivity the methods have for identifying those who assemble IEDs, along with precautions needed when collecting and processing such evidence. |
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Keywords: | forensic science forensic mitochondrial DNA improvised explosive device nested PCR |
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