Evaluation of Skin Surface as an Alternative Source of Reference DNA Samples: A Pilot Study |
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| Authors: | Mohammed H Albujja MSc Abdul Aziz Bin Dukhyil PhD Abdul Rauf Chaudhary MPhil Ahmed Ch Kassab PhD Ahmed M Refaat PhD Saranya Ramesh Babu MSc Mohammad K Okla PhD Sachil Kumar PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. College of Forensic Sciences, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;2. College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia;3. College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
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| Abstract: | An acceptable area for collecting DNA reference sample is a part of the forensic DNA analysis development. The aim of this study was to evaluate skin surface cells (SSC) as an alternate source of reference DNA sample. From each volunteer (n = 10), six samples from skin surface areas (forearm and fingertips) and two traditional samples (blood and buccal cells) were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and quantified then genotyped using standard techniques. The highest DNA concentration of SSC samples was collected using the tape/forearm method of collection (2.1 ng/μL). Cotton swabs moistened with ethanol yielded higher quantities of DNA than swabs moistened with salicylic acid, and it gave the highest percentage of full STR profiles (97%). This study supports the use of SSC as a noninvasive sampling technique and as a extremely useful source of DNA reference samples among certain cultures where the use of buccal swabs can be considered socially unacceptable. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science DNA reference sample skin surface cells fingertip forearm swabbing tape lift |
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