Systematic Study on STR Profiling on Blood and Saliva Traces After Visualization of Fingerprint Marks

• NCJ Number: 201545
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 48 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2003 Pages: 733-741
• Author(s): Petra Grubwieser M.D.; Alexandra Thaler Ph.D.; Silvano Kochl Ph.D.; Roger Teissl; Walter Rabl M.D.; Walther Parson Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2003
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the impact of optical, physical, and chemical methods used for fingerprint enhancement on later DNA analysis of biological stains.

Abstract

In cases in which evidence is limited, fingerprint analysis and DNA analysis must often be performed on the same material. As such, it is imperative to establish whether fingerprint enhancement techniques such as dactyloscopic methods interfere with the ability to perform later DNA profiling. Latent fingerprints and fingerprints in contact with blood and saliva on different surfaces were exposed to a wide variety of dactyloscopic methods, including rare methods and variations of techniques. Results of later STR profiling of the blood and saliva traces suggested that the dactyloscopic methods did not interfere with the DNA analysis. However, the airbrush technique used in blood analysis procedures did have deleterious outcomes on later STR analysis. The authors assert that the layer technique offers advantages for both fingerprint enhancement and subsequent DNA profiling. The wide range of methods tested here may serve to guide those in the field who are faced with the necessity of conducting fingerprint and DNA analysis on the same material. References