Efficiency of Casework Direct Kit for extraction of touch DNA samples obtained from cars steering wheels

Analysis of STR profiles obtained from touch DNA has been very useful to the elucidation of crimes. Extraction method may be determinant for the recovery of genetic material collected from different surfaces. Vehicle theft is one of the most common crimes in São Paulo city, Brazil, but collection of biological traces in car steering wheels is not considered, because of the belief that profiles generated won’t be able to identify the thief, only the owner. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of extraction methods for obtaining DNA profiles in samples collected from steering wheels. Eight criminal acts were simulated with 2 different individuals each (mixture of victim and thief), in duplicate, in order to compare two extraction methods: DNA IQ™ and Casework Direct Kit (both Promega Corporation). Genetic material was collected by double swab method and quantified by Quantifiler™Trio (ThermoFisher Scientific). Amplification was conducted with PowerPlex® Fusion System (Promega). It was possible to obtain STR profiles for all experiments. The mixtures were compared with reference profiles to evaluated how many alleles of each donor were observed. Samples extracted with Casework Direct Kit obtained STR profiles with higher averages of alleles for primary and secondary donors (88.7% and 59.9%, respectively) than those extracted with DNA IQ™ (60.4% and 38.1%, respectively). This could be explained by the differences established in the protocols of both methods, since DNA IQ™ is based on successive washes and can result in loss of DNA, whereas Casework Direct Kit minimizes this problem. We concluded that Casework Direct Kit was more efficient for processing touch DNA samples than DNA IQ™.     

Recovery of Trace DNA on Clothing: A Comparison of Mini‐tape Lifting and Three Other Forensic Evidence Collection Techniques

Trace DNA is often found in forensic science investigations. Experience has shown that it is difficult to retrieve a DNA profile when trace DNA is collected from clothing. The aim of this study was to compare four different DNA collection techniques on six different types of clothing in order to determine the best trace DNA recovery method. The classical stain recovery technique using a wet cotton swab was tested against dry swabbing, scraping and a new method, referred to as the mini‐tape lifting technique. Physical contact was simulated with three different “perpetrators” on 18 machine‐washed garments. DNA was collected with the four different DNA recovery methods and subjected to standard PCR‐based DNA profiling. The comparison of STR results showed best results for the mini‐tape lifting and scraping methods independent of the type of clothing. The new mini‐tape lifting technique proved to be an easy and reliable DNA collection method for textiles.     

PE‐Swab Direct STR Amplification of Forensic Touch DNA Samples

The PE‐Swab direct STR amplification workflow was developed to process low‐level “touch DNA” samples. In this workflow, a forensic sample is first collected on a 4‐mm PE‐Swab (a novel sample collection device); two 2‐mm punches containing collected samples are then generated from the PE‐Swab and directly amplified for STR typing. Compared to the conventional STR workflow, which involves DNA extraction, purification, and elution volume reduction, the PE‐Swab direct STR amplification workflow does not require sample preparation and takes <60 sec before a touch sample is ready for STR amplification. Because there is no DNA loss due to sample preparation, the PE‐Swab workflow is more sensitive than the conventional STR workflow. The average peak height per sample obtained by the PE‐swab workflow is 3 times higher than that from the conventional workflow with both low‐level single source and two‐contributor mixture samples tested in this study.     

Applicability of the ParaDNA® Screening System to Seminal Samples

Seminal fluid represents a common biological material recovered from sexual assault crime scenes. Such samples can be prescreened using different techniques to determine cell type and relative amount before submitting for full STR profiling. The ParaDNA^® Screening System is a novel forensic test which identifies the presence of DNA through amplification and detection of two common STR loci (D16S539 and TH01) and the Amelogenin marker. The detection of the Y allele in samples could provide a useful tool in the triage and submission of sexual assault samples by enforcement authorities. Male template material was detected on a range of common sexual assault evidence items including cotton pillow cases, condoms, swab heads and glass surfaces and shows a detection limit of 1 in 1000 dilution of neat semen. These data indicate this technology has the potential to be a useful tool for the detection of male donor DNA in sexual assault casework.     

Analysis of salivary DNA evidence from a bite mark on a body submerged in water.

A female body was recovered after approximately 5.5 h in a river with slow-moving current. On the victim's right breast, a patterned injury was discovered and determined to be from human adult teeth. Evidence was collected according to established techniques including recovery of saliva from the bite mark area despite the body being found submerged in water. DNA analysis by PCR using polymorphic STR markers revealed a DNA profile of mixed origin. In addition to the victim's DNA profile, a genotype contribution from the perpetrator was identified as a minor component. The DNA typing results from the bite mark correlated with the DNA typing results obtained from other biological trace evidence identified from the victim's genital samples. The bite mark and the DNA evidence were used to screen suspects and played an important role in obtaining resolution of this case. Consequently, it is advisable that investigators routinely swab for salivary DNA in bite mark cases, even when the amount is thought to be minimal.     

Nondestructive Biological Evidence Collection with Alternative Swabs and Adhesive Lifters

In forensic science, biological material is typically collected from evidence via wet/dry double swabbing with cotton swabs, which is effective but can visibly damage an item's surface. When an item's appearance must be maintained, dry swabbing and tape‐lifting may be employed as collection techniques that are visually nondestructive to substrates' surfaces. This study examined the efficacy of alternative swab matrices and adhesive lifters when collecting blood and fingerprints from glass, painted drywall, 100% cotton, and copy paper. Data were evaluated by determining the percent profile and quality score for each STR profile generated. Hydraflock^® swabs, BVDA Gellifters^®, and Scenesafe FAST? tape performed as well as or better than cotton swabs when collecting fingerprints from painted drywall and 100% cotton. Collection success was also dependent on the type of biological material sampled and the substrate on which it was deposited. These results demonstrated that alternative swabs and adhesive lifters can be effective for nondestructive DNA collection from various substrates.     

Advantage of ForensiX Swabs in Retrieving and Preserving Biological Fluids

This study compares two novel swabs (forensiX) with a standard cotton swab (EUROTUBE) for the collection of saliva stains on glass slide for STR analysis. ForensiX collection tubes are a standard cotton swab in an “active drying” tube, where swab sample is soon dried by its innovative tube surface of the wall. The other is forensiX Nylon Flocked Swab. The study is two phases: The first “phase” assesses swab types regarding to retrieve ability of saliva. The second “phase” compares the drying ability of each swab to assess how crime samples would fare when left in storage. The main result showed that “active drying” is effective to store swabbed sample. The forensiX swabs generally are effective for higher (twofold to fourfold) DNA yield compared to delta lab swab (around 750 pg and 250 pg from 0.5 μL of saliva), respectively. These findings demonstrate the importance of drying performance in the preservation of DNA and swab selection.     

运用二代测序技术拆分混合STR分型

目的探讨二代测序技术在混合STR分型拆分中的应用。方法对一例强制猥亵妇女案中受害人颈部的拭子和血样作DNA提取,以Precision ID GlobalFiler^TM NGS STR Panel v2试剂盒制备文库,经Ion S5测序仪测序,运用Torrent_Suite_v5.2.1软件进行数据分析后,将检测基因座的序列多态STR分型与长度多态STR分型进行比较。结果在D8S1179、D21S11、D2S441、D2S1338、D10S1248五个基因座发现存在序列特异的等位基因亚型,利用这些亚型对混合STR分型进行了成功拆分。结论二代测序技术提供的等位基因序列信息可对混合STR分型的拆分起到帮助作用。     

The effect of NucleoSpin® Forensic Filters on DNA recovery from trace DNA swabs

Forensic DNA profiling is a globally accepted method for human identification, however, obtaining full DNA profiles from trace DNA can be challenging. The optimal recovery of DNA from trace DNA swabs is therefore crucial. Methods for extracting DNA from swabs often make use of a spin basket combined with a centrifugation step, to enhance the release of cells from the swab prior to DNA extraction. The NucleoSpin® Forensic Filter (Macherey-Nagel, Düren) is a type of spin basket, but it has not been thoroughly assessed on trace DNA samples. This study aimed to assess if the inclusion of the NucleoSpin® Forensic Filter significantly improved DNA recovery and DNA profiling success from cotton and flocked swabs used to collect trace DNA and buccal cells (control). Buccal cells and trace DNA samples were collected from 25 volunteers using each swab type (cotton and flocked) in duplicate. DNA was extracted from the samples using the NucleoSpin® DNA Forensic kit, one set with, and the other set without, NucleoSpin® Forensic Filters. DNA concentration was assessed using real time PCR, and DNA profiling was done using the PowerPlex® ESX 16 system. The inclusion of the NucleoSpin® Forensic Filters significantly improved DNA concentration for buccal cells that were collected using flocked swabs (p = 0.035). However, no significant differences were noted for trace DNA samples for either swab type. There was also no significant difference in DNA profiling success when NucleoSpin® Forensic Filters were used, regardless of swab and sample type. These results may be helpful for laboratories that are considering the NucleoSpin® Forensic Filters in the DNA extraction workflow, particularly for trace DNA samples.     

A duplex real-time qPCR assay for the quantification of human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in forensic samples: implications for quantifying DNA in degraded samples

A duplex real-time qPCR assay was developed for quantifying human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in forensic samples. The nuclear portion of the assay utilized amplification of a approximately 170-190 bp target sequence that spans the repeat region of the TH01 STR locus, and the mitochondrial portion of the assay utilized amplification of a 69 bp target sequence in the ND1 region. Validation studies, performed on an ABI 7000 SDS instrument using TaqMan detection, demonstrated that both portions of the duplex assay provide suitable quantification sensitivity and precision down to 10-15 copies of each genome of interest and that neither portion shows cross-reactivity to commonly encountered non-human genomes. As part of the validation studies, a series of DNase-degraded samples were quantified using three different methods: the duplex nuclear-mitochondrial qPCR assay, the ABI Quantifiler Human DNA Quantification Kit qPCR assay, which amplifies and detects a 62 bp nuclear target sequence, and slot blot hybridization. For non-degraded and moderately degraded samples in the series, all three methods were suitably accurate for quantifying nuclear DNA to achieve successful STR amplifications to yield complete profiles using the ABI AmpFlSTR Identifiler kit. However, for highly degraded samples, the duplex qPCR assay provided better estimates of nuclear template for STR amplification than did either the commercial qPCR assay, which overestimated the quantity of STR-sized DNA fragments, leading to an increased proportion of undetected alleles at the larger STR loci, or slot blot hybridization, which underestimated the quantity of nuclear DNA, leading to an increased proportion of STR amplification artifacts due to amplification of excess template.     

Collection and direct amplification methods using the GlobalFiler™ kit for DNA recovered from common pipe bomb substrates

When analyzing DNA from exploded pipe bombs, quantities are often in trace amounts, making DNA typing extremely difficult. Amplifying minute amounts of DNA can cause stochastic effects resulting in partial or uninterpretable profiles. Therefore, the initial DNA collection from “touch” evidence must be optimized to maximize the amount of DNA available for analysis.This proof-of-concept study evaluated two different swab types with two direct amplification strategies to identify the most effective method for recovering DNA from common pipe bomb substrates. PVC and steel pipes, electrical tape, and copper wire spiked with epithelial cells were swabbed with cotton or microFLOQ® Direct Swabs and amplified directly or via a pre-treatment prior to STR amplification.Not only was the microFLOQ® Direct Swab protocol the quickest method with the least risk of contamination, but in combination with direct amplification, the microFLOQ® Direct Swabs also generated the most complete STR profiles.     

Establishing an integrated pipeline for automatic and efficient detection of trace DNA encountered in forensic applications

The analysis of trace DNA is a crucial component in forensic applications. Biological materials containing low-level DNA collected at crime scenes, such as fingerprints, can be valuable as evidence. Automatic detection of biological samples has been largely embraced in forensic applications to meet the increasing throughput requirements. However, the amount of DNA automatically retrieved from trace evidence often tends to be small and unstable, ultimately resulting in poor detection of DNA profiles. Thus, in this work, we introduced a robust DNA extraction and purification platform named Bionewtech® BN3200 (Bionewtech®, Shanghai, China) with the goal of constructing a rapid automatic detection system for trace DNA. The establishment of automatic detection system for trace DNA mainly encompassed two parts: assessing the sensitivity of automatic extraction platform and screening the optimal short tandem repeat (STR) typing kit. The sensitivity of Bionewtech® BN3200 platform based on Ultra-sensitive DNA Extraction kit was initially estimated, demonstrating that this extraction platform might contain large potential in the trace DNA extraction. For the amplification part, three sets of commercial multiplex STR typing kits were selected as candidates, and the amplified products were further genotyped on the Applied Biosystems 3500xl Genetic Analyzer. After comparation, SiFa™ 23 Plex Kit was determined as the most suitable amplification system for trace DNA. Eventually, the newly exploited trace DNA detection system was successfully implemented in the detection of fingerprints derived from glass surfaces with the five-seconds contact time. As a result, the DNA recovered from the fingerprints fluctuated approximately from 57.60 pg to 18.05 ng, in addition, over 70% of the total STR loci were detected in 75% of the fingerprint samples.     

An Optimized DNA Analysis Workflow for the Sampling,Extraction, and Concentration of DNA obtained from Archived Latent Fingerprints

DNA profiles have been obtained from fingerprints, but there is limited knowledge regarding DNA analysis from archived latent fingerprints—touch DNA “sandwiched” between adhesive and paper. Thus, this study sought to comparatively analyze a variety of collection and analytical methods in an effort to seek an optimized workflow for this specific sample type. Untreated and treated archived latent fingerprints were utilized to compare different biological sampling techniques, swab diluents, DNA extraction systems, DNA concentration practices, and post‐amplification purification methods. Archived latent fingerprints disassembled and sampled via direct cutting, followed by DNA extracted using the QIAamp® DNA Investigator Kit, and concentration with Centri‐Sep? columns increased the odds of obtaining an STR profile. Using the recommended DNA workflow, 9 of the 10 samples provided STR profiles, which included 7–100% of the expected STR alleles and two full profiles. Thus, with carefully selected procedures, archived latent fingerprints can be a viable DNA source for criminal investigations including cold/postconviction cases.     

Quantitative PCR overestimation of DNA in samples contaminated with tin

Metals can pose challenges while conducting forensic DNA analysis. The presence of metal ions in evidence-related DNA extracts can degrade DNA or inhibit PCR as applied to DNA quantification (real-time PCR or qPCR) and/or STR amplification, leading to low success in STR profiling. Different metal ions were spiked into 0.2 and 0.5 ng of human genomic DNA in an “inhibition study” and the impact was evaluated by qPCR using the Quantifiler™ Trio DNA Quantification Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and an in-house SYBR Green assay. This study reports on a contradictory finding specific to tin (Sn) ions, which caused at least a 38,000-fold overestimation of DNA concentration when utilizing Quantifiler Trio. This was explained by the raw and multicomponent spectral plots, which indicated that Sn suppresses the Quantifiler Trio passive reference dye (Mustang Purple™, MP) at ion concentrations above 0.1 mM. This effect was not observed when DNA was quantified using SYBR Green with ROX™ as the passive reference, nor when DNA was extracted and purified prior to Quantifiler Trio. The results show that metal contaminants can interfere with qPCR-based DNA quantification in unexpected ways and may be assay dependent. The results also highlight the importance of qPCR as a quality check to determine steps for sample cleanup prior to STR amplification that may be similarly impacted by metal ions. Forensic workflows should recognize the risk of inaccurate DNA quantification of samples that are collected from substrates containing tin.     

The use of the M-Vac® wet-vacuum system as a method for DNA recovery

Collecting sufficient template DNA from a crime scene sample is often challenging, especially with low quantity samples such as touch DNA (tDNA). Traditional DNA collection methods such as double swabbing have limitations, in particular when used on certain substrates which can be found at crime scenes, thus a better collection method is advantageous. Here, the effectiveness of the M-Vac® Wet-Vacuum System is evaluated as a method for DNA recovery on tiles and bricks. It was found that the M-Vac® recovered 75% more DNA than double swabbing on bricks. However, double swabbing collected significantly more DNA than the M-Vac® on tiles. Additionally, it was found that cell-free DNA is lost in the filtration step of M-Vac® collection. In terms of peak height and number of true alleles detected, no significant difference was found between the DNA profiles obtained through M-Vac® collection versus double swabbing of tDNA depositions from 12 volunteers on bricks. The results demonstrate that the M-Vac® has potential for DNA collection from porous surfaces such as bricks, but that alterations to the filter apparatus would be beneficial to increase the amount of genetic material collected for subsequent DNA profiling. These results are anticipated to be a starting point to validate the M-Vac® as a DNA collection device, providing an alternative method when DNA is present on a difficult substrate, or if traditional DNA collection methods have failed.     

Characterization of human DNA in environmental samples

Environmental samples from indoor surfaces can be confounded by dust, which is composed largely of human skin cells and has been documented to contain roughly tens of micrograms of total DNA per gram of dust. This study complements previous published work by providing estimates of the quantity of amplifiable human DNA found in environmental samples from a typical indoor environment, categorized by the intensity of human traffic and visible quantity of dust. Dust was collected by surface swabbing standard 576 cm² areas in eight locations, and evaluated for total DNA quantity, presence of human DNA (mitochondrial and nuclear loci using conventional PCR), quantity of human nuclear DNA using quantitative PCR, and STR analysis. The total DNA content of 36 dust samples ranged from 9 to 28 ng/cm², and contained 0.2–1.1 pg/cm² of human DNA. Overall, human DNA was detected in 97% of 36 dust samples and 61% of samples yielded allele distributions of varying degrees of complexity when subjected to STR analysis. The implications of this study are twofold. First, the presence of dust in evidence can be a significant contamination source in forensic investigations because the human DNA component is of sufficient quality and quantity to produce allele calls in STR analysis. This can be effectively managed by implementing stringent protocols for collection and analysis of potential biological samples. A second implication is the use of dust as a source of evidence for identification of inhabitants within a defined location. In the latter case, a number of additional studies would be necessary to identify relevant pretreatments for environmental dust samples and to develop the necessary deconvolution techniques to separate the composite genotypes obtained.     

DIP-STR在不平衡混合DNA样本中的分析研究

当前,DNA检验技术作为打击犯罪的利器,在法医鉴定中发挥着巨大作用。但对于性侵、暴力犯罪等案件中提取的混合DNA样本,尤其是从受害人或嫌疑人的接触物上采集的高度不平衡混合DNA样本,利用常染色体STR检验方法得到的结果通常不是很理想。由于PCR扩增偏倚,从混合样本中检测出痕量DNA分型是一个巨大的挑战,也是当前法医DNA检验的一个难点。近年来的研究显示,利用新型连锁遗传标记DIP-STR,即结合缺失或插入多态性片段DIP(deletion–insertion polymorphisms)和STR的连锁位点,可以用来检测出混合DNA样本中任一性别和细胞起源的微量DNA,甚至在DNA混合比例高达1:1000时,DIP-STR标记的灵敏度、特异性仍旧相对较为理想。因此,DIP-STR标记的分析可以作为常染色体STR检验的有效补充。本文将对DIP-STR在不平衡混合DNA样本分析中的研究背景、方法及其应用前景进行综述。     

Evaluation of Skin Surface as an Alternative Source of Reference DNA Samples: A Pilot Study

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.     

Efficiency of DNA IQ System in recovering semen DNA from cotton swabs

With the aim to asses the efficiency of the DNA IQ System in the recovery of DNA from semen samples, cotton swabs were prepared from 1/5 serial dilutions of semen. Each swab was fractionated in four equivalent quarters and the DNA was further extracted following the differential lysis protocol. The recovered DNA was quantified by means of real time PCR and the average DNA yield was used to compare results. Direct extractions of equivalent aliquots of each semen dilution were used as reference samples. Even though a high percentage of the starting material was lost during the process of transfer to/recover from the solid support, our experimental results demonstrated that the DNA IQ system was able to detect around 10³ sperm cells in the starting material, enabling to obtain a complete DNA profile with AmpFl STR IdentiFiler PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems).     

Contribution to the Development of Guidelines in the Analysis of Biological Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations

This investigation intends to study materials and techniques used for biological evidence collection in sexual assault cases and is divided into two stages: in stage one, methods for biological evidence collection (the single swab (including three variants) and the “double swab technique”) were compared; in stage two, swabs’ component material was compared. The sampling was composed of 42 heterosexual couples who provided mock samples. The collection methods in which the whole swab is covered by evidence presented significantly better outcomes (p < 0.001), such as the “double swab technique.” Additionally, nylon swabs proved to present significantly better features regarding the capacity of sample elution, providing significantly higher amounts of DNA (p ≤ 0.034). This study provides guidelines for better collection of biological evidence regarding the collection method using a swab and the proper swab material to utilize.