An innovative transfer DNA experimental design and qPCR assay to identify primary,secondary, and tertiary DNA transfer

“Touch DNA” is a form of trace DNA that is presumed to be deposited when an individual touches something and leaves behind DNA-containing skin cells, sweat, or other fluids. While touch DNA is often the result of direct contact (i.e., primary transfer), it can also be indirectly transferred between surfaces or individuals (e.g., secondary or tertiary transfer). Even experts cannot distinguish between different types of transfer and do not fully understand which variables affect direct versus indirect transfer or how often each type of transfer occurs. In this study, we utilize an innovative protocol that combines a paired male and female transfer DNA experimental design with an Amelogenin qPCR assay to generate data on primary, secondary, and tertiary DNA transfer. We report frequencies of indirect DNA transfer and also investigate the potential effects of participant age, self-identified ethnicity, and skin conditions on DNA transfer. Out of 22 experimental trials, we detected primary transfer (male + female) in 71% of trials, secondary DNA transfer in 50% of trials, and tertiary DNA transfer in 27% of trials. No significant associations were found between primary DNA transfer and age, self-identified ancestry, or skin conditions, however, all individuals with sloughing skin conditions demonstrated primary DNA transfer and we suggest this variable be explored in larger samples. These results contribute to a better understanding of the conditions under which secondary and tertiary DNA transfer occurs and can be used to propose realistic DNA transfer scenarios in court cases.     

A study of DNA transfers onto plastic packets placed in personal bags

The ability to detect low level DNA brings with it the uncertainty of whether the detected DNA is a result of transfer. To address this uncertainty, a simulation study was conducted in which a mock illicit drug packet was placed into the personal bags of individuals. When the average transit time of the packets was increased from around 2 h to more than 14 h, the percentage of the DNA profiles recovered from the packets which could be attributed to the individuals increased greatly from 5.3% to 48.6%. We found that drug packers who were poor shedders could not be included as contributors to the DNA profiles from the drug packets at all and there was a higher chance that individuals other than themselves could be included as contributors to the DNA profile recovered from drug packets. We also found that it was equally likely that the drug packers who had direct contact with the drug packets and bag owners who did not, could be included as contributors to the DNA profiles recovered from the packets. The results in this study highlight the importance of taking into consideration the transit time of drug packet, the shedder status of the alleged packer and the history of an item, when evaluating DNA evidence in the context of illicit drug activities.     

Collecting and Analyzing DNA Evidence from Fingernails: A Comparative Study,,

Forensic practitioners and crime laboratories regularly collect and analyze fingernail evidence; however, the best techniques for processing such evidence have not been established. In this study, numerous aspects of fingernail evidence processing—collection of exogenous cells, transportation, purification of DNA, and STR analysis—were analyzed using fingernails harboring applied blood or epithelial cells from scratchings. Autosomal STR mixtures resulted when fingernails were soaked or swabbed, while scrapings rarely generated mixtures but exhibited allelic dropout. Y‐STRs yielded single source profiles, with scrapings again showing dropout. A silica‐based kit extraction recovered significantly more exogenous DNA than did organic extraction, neither of which was affected by nail polish. Swabbing nails in succession resulted in some cross‐contamination from exogenous material, while transporting nails together did not, although there was loss of exogenous cells. Optimized nail processing produced complete Y‐STR profiles of male volunteers from female fingernails following scratchings.     

Internal Validation of Human Mitochondrial DNA Quantification Using Real‐Time PCR

The quantity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) template added for amplification and subsequent dye terminator reactions is critical for obtaining quality sequence data. Validation of a human mtDNA real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay demonstrated its high degree of reproducibility and precision as well as an extremely sensitive threshold of detection (0.0001 pg/μL or approximately six human mtDNA copies/μL). A study of 35 nonprobative bone and teeth evidence samples revealed that 20 pg of mtDNA template is recommended for successful HV1 and HV2 sequence analysis; however, as little as 0.013 pg can generate a full mtDNA profile when using enhanced amplification reactions. The assay can also detect PCR inhibition and is useful for identifying samples that may benefit from re‐purification. Overall, the assay is an excellent method to quantify mtDNA and is useful for determining the best analytical approach for successful sequencing.     

Optimization of Human mtDNA Control Region Sequencing for Forensic Applications

Sequencing mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions I and II (HVI and HVII) is useful in forensic missing person and unidentified remains cases. Improvements in ease and sensitivity of testing will yield results from more samples in a timely fashion. Routinely, amplification of HVI and HVII is followed by Sanger sequencing using the BigDye^® Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems) using 4 μL of ready reaction mix (RRM). Each sequencing reaction is then purified through column filtration before capillary electrophoresis. Using lower amounts of RRM (2 μL or 1 μL) and purification using BigDye^® XTerminator^? (Applied Biosystems) instead of columns showed no loss of sequence length and increased the quality and the sensitivity of testing, allowing HVI and HVII typing from mitochondrial genome equivalent to 125 fg of nuclear DNA, or 100 pg of HVI/HVII amplicons. Using this methodology, testing can be completed in 1 day, and the cost of testing is reduced.     

利用RASSF1A位点检测母体血浆中胎儿SNP分型

目的探讨利用母体血浆中高甲基化RASSF1A位点进行胎儿SNP分型的应用价值。方法随机收集10个未孕健康妇女和45例不同孕期（早期5例、中期20例、晚期20例）孕妇的血样本及相应胎儿组织（绒毛组织、羊水、胎盘组织）;利用甲基化敏感限制性内切酶BstUI酶切后进行PCR,产物进行血细胞、血浆和胎儿组织（绒毛或胎盘）DNA RASSF1A序列的甲基化模式检测,并采用直接测序法对SNP rs4688725位点进行分型。结果经BstUI酶消化,RASSF1A序列在母体血细胞中均未检出,而在绒毛或胎盘组织中均能检出;在45名孕妇血浆中,RASSF1A序列均能被检出,且序列内的SNP分型与相应胎儿组织一致;在10名非孕妇女血浆中均未检出RASSF1A序列。结论母体和胎儿DNA中RASSF1A基因启动子区域的甲基化模式存在差异,可用于对母体血浆中的游离胎儿DNA进行SNP分型。     

96孔过滤板在接触性DNA自动化检验中的应用

目的将96孔过滤板用于自动化工作站,对接触性DNA进行检验。方法收集553份现场提取的附着在烟蒂、饮料瓶、门窗把手、电源网线头、作案工具、手套上的微量接触性生物检材,在96孔过滤板上进行裂解后整体离心,分离载体与裂解液;应用自动化核酸提取纯化仪结合M48磁珠纯化试剂盒提取纯化DNA,采用IdentifilerPlus试剂盒进行扩增,3500XL测序仪电泳分型,ID-X专家系统分析结果。结果在553份检材中,成功获得STR分型的有271份,检验成功率在31.6%~97.3%之间,烟蒂、饮料瓶检材的成功率均在90%以上,提取纯化过程约90min。结论将96孔过滤板用于自动化工作站,可在实现批量接触性DNA的快速、自动化提取的同时,有效提高接触性DNA检出率。     

武汉地区汉族人群线粒体DNA Region V区9bp片段缺失多态性

目的 研究武汉地区汉族群体线粒体DNA RegionV区9bp片段缺失多态性.方法 PCR扩增后采用银染技术分离片段,检测武汉地区汉族群体线粒体DNA RegionV区9bp片段缺失的频率.结果 在武汉地区汉族239个无关个体中发现标准型、缺失型两种多态类型,9bp片段缺失频率为17.15％.结论 武汉地区汉族群体在DNA RegionV区9bp片段存在缺失多态性.     

磁珠法对混合斑中精子DNA批量自动提取的应用研究

目的 建立混合斑中精子DNA批量自动提取的方法.方法 对56例混合斑经第一步消化后的精子沉淀用DNA IQ试剂盒和Biomek（R）2000全自动核酸工作站自动提取纯化,3130xl型遗传分析仪分析结果.结果 56例混合斑检材均得到较好的STR分型结果.结论 DNA IQ试剂盒和Biomek（R）2000全自动核酸工作站批量自动提取纯化混合斑的方法快速简便,可应用于法庭科学实践.     

A 21‐Locus Autosomal SNP Multiplex and its Application in Forensic Science

To develop a cost‐effective technique for single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and improve the efficiency to analyze degraded DNA, we have established a novel multiplex system including 21‐locus autosomal SNPs and amelogenin locus, which was based on allele‐specific amplification (ASA) and universal reporter primers (URP). The target amplicons for each of the 21 SNPs arranged from 63 base pair (bp) to 192 bp. The system was tested in 539 samples from three ethnic groups (Han, Mongolian, and Zhuang population) in China, and the total power of discrimination (TPD) and cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) were more than 0.99999999 and 0.98, respectively. The system was further validated with forensic samples and full profiles could be achieved from degraded DNA and 63 case‐type samples. In summary, the multiplex system offers an effective technique for individual identification of forensic samples and is much more efficient in the analysis of degraded DNA compared with standard STR typing.