NCJ Number
211286
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 50 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 1119-1122
Date Published
September 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study compared and evaluated the effectiveness of two methods of mitochondrial DNA extraction from head hair shafts, a simple alkaline digestion method and a glass grinding/organic extraction method.
Abstract
Human hair is one of the most common types of biological material associated with legal investigations. However, its analysis and subsequent evidentiary value have been problematic when contrasted with other biological specimens. This study examined the effectiveness of two methods that could expedite DNA extraction from hair shafts, so as to reduce steps and contamination potential and ideally meet or exceed results of present methods. The two methods compared and evaluated were a simple alkaline digestion procedure which dissolved hairs and a glass grinding/organic extraction method which used samples collected from 30 volunteers with varying population ancestries, hair colors, and hair treatment. The results indicate that a simple alkaline-based DNA extraction technique developed and tested on human head hair shafts met the goals stated above. It represents a faster and less labor-intensive protocol that equals or exceeds the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) amplification success rate of the standard glass grinding/organic extraction technique currently being used by forensic laboratories. Table, references