Pilot Study Assessing PCR Amplified Epithelial Cells Deposited on Drinking Vessels With and Without the Application of Chapstick to the Lips

• NCJ Number: 239121
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2012 Pages: 389-400
• Author(s): Krista E. Latham; Annamaria Crescimanno; Elean M. Madaj; Stephen P. Nawrocki; Stephanie Goldman; Gay Bush
• Date Published: August 2012
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This pilot study suggests that it is possible to successfully generate DNA profiles from transferred epithelial cell DNA in the presence of Chapstick residue.

Abstract

Although several studies have demonstrated that epithelial cells from both saliva and the skin will transfer to a touched object, no studies have systematically assessed the influence of common skin and lip protection, such as ChapStick, on the recovery of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifiable DNA from inert surfaces, such as aluminum cans and ceramic mugs. This pilot study suggests that it is possible to successfully generate DNA profiles from transferred epithelial cell DNA in the presence of Chapstick residue. However, that DNA quantity as detected using quantitative PCR was significantly greater from aluminum cans than from ceramic mugs. Furthermore, the effect of using lip protection varied depending on the type of drinking vessel used; the residue appears to impede DNA recovery from aluminum cans but enhance DNA recovery from ceramic mugs. (Published Abstract)