Journal Published Online: 01 November 2003
Volume 48, Issue 6

Using Hydrophilic Adhesive Tape for Collection of Evidence for Forensic DNA Analysis

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Known exemplar samples of human DNA have traditionally been body fluids, such as blood, saliva, and semen. In each case, the presence of water is a risk for the bacterial growth, which may degrade the DNA evidence. In this study, the authors have developed a method that employed a hydrophilic adhesive tape (HAT) for collecting DNA evidence. The HAT method was used to remove surface cells from relatively hairless areas on the body. The area examined were ankle, arm, behind the ear, between fingers and back of the neck. The HAT was then dissolved in the extraction buffer. DNA typing was performed at vWA, TH01, F13A1, and FES loci using the short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. Our results show that the samples collected from ear give the best results with a success rate of 100%. All subjects tested by this method had known STR genotypes established from buccal swabs. The authors' results suggest that the HAT method can be used as a less invasive method for collecting biological evidence for forensic DNA analysis. In addition, this collection method should reduce the risk of DNA degradation due to the moisture, which is encountered using conventional collecting methods.

Author Information

Li, RC
College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Harris, HA
School of Public Safety, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT
Pages: 4
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS2003121
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003121