NCJ Number
226459
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2009 Pages: 133-143
Date Published
March 2009
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This research examined whether there was a relationship between fingerprint donation and DNA shedding.
Abstract
This study found no correlation between fingerprint donation and DNA shedding, i.e., an enhanced fingerprint with full ridge detail will not necessarily yield a full DNA profile. The eccrine and sebaceous components of latent fingerprint residue have been well-documented; however, the presence or absence of skin cells bearing DNA in a fingerprint is a much more complex issue that requires further investigation. Although the results of this standardized study show no correlation between fingerprint donation and DNA shedding, it does show that the success rate of obtaining a detailed fingerprint and a trace DNA profile is based on the individual donor; and for a given donor, the success rate for obtaining DNA from fingerprint residue will vary under different, uncontrolled scenarios. In the investigation of major crimes, both the fingerprint and the DNA obtained from that print should be analyzed. The most viable way of testing the DNA shedding ability of a fingerprint donor is one experiment on one day, with repeated amplifications of the same DNA extract. This will ensure that the experiment will remain controlled. Collecting the fingerprints and the DNA samples on the same day limited the DNA sample collection size. The standardized “Lowe” method was used in this research. Glass was chosen as the substrate, and aluminum powder was the technique for enhancing fingerprints on glass. Eight donors provided fingerprints and trace DNA for the study. The descriptions of materials and methods address sample preparation, fingerprint enhancement, DNA extraction and amplification, and capillary electrophoresis and analysis. 5 tables, 2 figures, and 14 references