ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 7 September 2005
Page Count: 6

Beware of the Possibility of Fingerprinting Techniques Transferring DNA
Beaurepaire, J

Holding, NL

van Oorschot, RAH
Forensic Services Department, Victoria Police, Victoria

Mitchell, RJ
La Trobe University, Victoria

Treadwell, S

(Received 2 October 2004; accepted 25 June 2005)

Abstract

Fingerprinting brushes have the potential to collect and transfer DNA during powdering. Squirrel-hair fingerprint brushes exposed to specific sets of saliva stains and brushes used in routine casework were tested for their ability to collect and transfer DNA containing material using standard DNA extraction procedures and AmpF/STR® Profiler Plus™ amplification and typing procedures. The tests found that the risk of transferring DNA during powdering and having a detrimental impact on the analysis increases if the examiner powders over either biological stains (such as blood or saliva) or very fresh prints and uses more sensitive PCR amplification and typing procedures. We advocate caution when powdering prints from which DNA may also be collected and provide options for consideration to limit the risk of transferred DNA contamination while fingerprinting.

Keywords:
forensic science, DNA, trace, fingerprint brushes, transfer

Paper ID: JFS2004430
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004430
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