ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 11

Evaluation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Isolated from Human Bloodstains Exposed to Ultraviolet Light, Heat, Humidity, and Soil Contamination
Balazs, I
Forensic scientist, director of forensic science, manager of forensic and paternity laboratory, and director of laboratories, Lifecodes Corporation, NY

Kobilinsky, L
Professor of criminalistics and professor of biology and immunology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NY

McNally, L
Forensic scientist, director of forensic science, manager of forensic and paternity laboratory, and director of laboratories, Lifecodes Corporation, NY

Baird, M
Forensic scientist, director of forensic science, manager of forensic and paternity laboratory, and director of laboratories, Lifecodes Corporation, NY

Forest, PD
Professor of criminalistics and professor of biology and immunology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NY

Shaler, RC
Forensic scientist, director of forensic science, manager of forensic and paternity laboratory, and director of laboratories, Lifecodes Corporation, NY

(Received 5 May 1988; accepted 18 November 1988)

Abstract

This study was designed to analyze the effects of common environmental insults on the ability to obtain deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) restriction fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLP) patterns from laboratory prepared specimens. The environmental conditions studied include the exposure of dried bloodstains to varying amounts of relative humidity (0, 33, 67, and 98%), heat (37°C), and ultraviolet light for periods of up to five days. In addition, the effect of drying over a four-day period in whole blood collected with and without ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was examined.

The results of the study showed that, under the conditions studied, the integrity of DNA is not altered such that false RFLP patterns are obtained. The only effect observed was that the overall RFLP pattern becomes weaker, but individual RFLP fragments are neither created nor destroyed.

Keywords:
criminalistics, serology, deoxyribonucleic acid, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, bloodstains

Paper ID: JFS12741J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12741J
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