The Potential of Cosmetic Applicators as a Source of DNA for Forensic Analysis |
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| Authors: | Michael S Adamowicz PhD Renáe D Labonte MS John E Schienman PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Forensic Science Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT;2. Molecular Pathology, Bio‐Reference Laboratories Inc., Elmwood Park, NJ;3. Division of Scientific Services, Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Meriden, CT |
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| Abstract: | Personal products, such as toothbrushes, have been used as both known reference and evidentiary samples for forensic DNA analysis. This study examined the viability of a broad selection of cosmetic applicators for use as targets for human DNA extraction and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions. Applicator types included eyeliner smudgers, pencils and crayons, eye shadow sponges, mascara wands, concealer wands, face makeup sponges, pads and brushes, lipsticks and balms, and lip gloss wands. The quantity and quality of DNA extracted from each type of applicator were examined by assessing the number of loci successfully amplified and the peak balance of the heterozygous alleles in each full STR profile. While degraded DNA, stochastic amplification, and PCR inhibition were observed for some items, full STR profiles were developed for 14 of 76 applicators. The face makeup sponge applicators yielded the highest proportional number of full STR profiles (4/7). |
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| Keywords: | forensic science cosmetic applicators lipstick lip balm forensic DNA analysis missing persons cases nontraditional reference samples |
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