Journal Published Online: 10 March 2004
Volume 49, Issue 3

Using STR Analysis to Detect Human DNA from Exploded Pipe Bomb Devices

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

This study investigated the possibility of recovering a bomb assembler's DNA from an exploded pipe bomb device. Metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes were examined to determine if one surface type would allow better DNA recovery than the other. Ten subjects each handled components of one metal and one PVC pipe bomb. The bombs were exploded, the fragments were collected and swabbed using the double swab technique, and the samples were extracted, quantified, amplified, and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction/short tandem repeat (PCR/STR). Of the 20 bombs handled by the subjects, four bombs gave reportable results that matched the subject's known DNA profiles. An additional eight profiles, also matching the subject's known DNA profiles, were generated but were below the reportable threshold. There was no difference in the success rate of obtaining DNA profiles related to the use of either PVC or metal in the manufacture of the pipe bomb. The variables that appeared to have the greatest influence on the success of generating a DNA profile were the amount of fragmentation and subsequent recovery of the bomb fragments. It is suspected that successful DNA profiling could also be dependent upon the bomb assembler's propensity to slough skin cells on objects they handled.

Author Information

Esslinger, KJ
Illinois State Police, Forensic Science Center at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Siegel, JA
School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University
Spillane, H
Michigan State Police, Northville Crime Laboratory, Northville, MI
Stallworth, S
Michigan State Police, Northville Crime Laboratory, Northville, MI
Pages: 4
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS2003127
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003127