DNA recovery from gelatin fingerprint lifters by direct proteolytic digestion.

Zieger, Martin; Schneider, Christoph; Utz, Silvia (2019). DNA recovery from gelatin fingerprint lifters by direct proteolytic digestion. Forensic science international, 295, pp. 145-149. Elsevier Scientific Publ. Ireland 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.12.006

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Fingerprints are a valuable source for DNA profiling in forensic investigations. In practice, the fingerprints are routinely visualized first by powder staining and then often transferred to tapes or gelatin lifters for storage or examination. If at all, fingerprints are usually sampled for DNA in a second step. To target the DNA sampling in an optimal way, it is essential to know how much of the DNA in the sample remains in place and how much is transferred to the lifter. In the present study we addressed this question analyzing 16 pairs of thumb prints and revealed that more than 80% of the DNA from a fingerprint is transferred to the gelatin lifter. Therefore, subsequent DNA sampling of the stored gelatin lifters appears more promising than recovery of the residual DNA from the original fingerprint. Furthermore, as a proof of principle, we developed a protocol for the direct extraction of DNA from gelatin fingerprint lifters by proteolytic digestion of the gelatin matrix followed by organic extraction. We show that DNA recovery from gelatin lifters by this direct extraction protocol is more efficient compared to swabbing the lifter followed by standard magnetic bead extraction of swabs. However, given the more elaborate protocol for direct extraction, we would still recommend the swab technique as the method of choice for forensic routine work.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine
04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine > Forensic Molecular Biology

UniBE Contributor:

Zieger, Martin, Schneider, Christoph (C), Utz, Silvia

ISSN:

0379-0738

Publisher:

Elsevier Scientific Publ. Ireland

Language:

English

Submitter:

Antoinette Angehrn

Date Deposited:

18 Feb 2019 15:47

Last Modified:

29 Mar 2023 23:36

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.12.006

PubMed ID:

30599334

Uncontrolled Keywords:

DNA Extraction Fingerprints Forensic science Gelatin lifters

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.123305

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/123305

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