BMD Seminar: "Getting the most from touch DNA" by Dr. Adrian Linacre

Considering how important it is to associate items held during a criminal act with a person of interest. If it is possible to amplify DNA data from this so called ‘touch DNA’ routinely, criminal investigations could speed forward, yet it is still the case that there is low success in generating DNA profiles from such key items. The problems are not insurmountable and can be reduced. These are: knowing where to swab, collection of much of the cellular material as possible, isolation procedures that maximize DNA yield and in sufficient purity for PCR. There is recent research on the biological composition of touch DNA showing that what is deposited is a mix of cell-free DNA and DNA containing corneocytes. Knowing how to target the effective collection of cellular material and cell-free DNA is central to the success of touch DNA. This talk will look at these front-end methods and describe how best each process can be enhanced to change the success in amplifying STR profiles from touch DNA from poor to excellent.