This report describes a research project that explored the possibility of developing a new tool and method that could separate multiple analytes from typical trace and forensic samples that are limited in yield or have degraded DNA without reducing efficiency of downstream forensic methods.
This paper reports on a project that had the goal of developing a novel trace sample nucleic acid recovery approach, including new methods and reagents, that maximizes DNA yield of both intact and degraded DNA samples. The author’s hope is to enable development of non-destructive or minimally destructive methods for evidentiary sample collection. The five driving research questions for the project were as following: can a novel capture agent be developed that co-binds DNA and RNA; can the capture agent co-elute DNA and RNA; can the capture agent differentially elute DNA and RNA; can a protocol be developed that captures and elutes DNA and RNA from trace blood, saliva, touch, and semen samples; and what is the impact of environmental exposure on DNA recovery? The report provides a summary of the research project design, methodology, and results. Data from this research project is archived on FigShare; more information about products is listed at the end of the report, along with dissemination activities.