NCJ Number
218693
Date Published
July 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In determining DNA from a computer keyboard, this study examined samples taken from trace evidence found in a computer keyboard.
Abstract
The results demonstrated that the authorized user did not contaminate the keyboards with other DNA. The existence of DNA was found in the samples from more than one person. One profile was compatible with the authorized user’s DNA. However, the DNA typing results did not identify the second person. A more exhaustive investigation was then initiated, leading to the perpetrator’s identification. A pharmaceutical company suspected that sensitive data was taken from a computer authorized to only one user. To prove whether anyone other than the authorized user had used the computer, the investigators proposed that DNA analysis be performed on the trace evidence found in the keyboard. It was hypothesized that although the keyboard might have been cleaned or someone had used gloves, hair or skin might have fallen into the keyboard. Typically, DNA analysis on a keyboard in an open-access site would be very complex. However, in this case the authorized user was in a maximum-security area, where finding foreign DNA was minimal. This paper reports on samples taken from trace evidence (i.e., hair and skin) found in a computer keyboard. Tables, references