Investigation of DNA transfer onto clothing during regular daily activities

Ruan, T; Barash, M; Gunn, P; Bruce, D

Investigation of DNA transfer onto clothing during regular daily activities

Ruan, T

Barash, M

Gunn, P

Bruce, D

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2018, 132 (4), pp. 1035 - 1042
Issue Date:: 2018-07-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ruan, T https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9980-0283	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Barash, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5445-6316	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Gunn, P https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3987-0447	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Bruce, D	en_US
dc.date.available	2017-11-09	en_US
dc.date.issued	2018-07-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2018, 132 (4), pp. 1035 - 1042	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0937-9827	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/121055
dc.description.abstract	© 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Low levels of DNA from an unidentified human source, often referred to as trace DNA, are ubiquitous, can be transferred onto objects by either direct or indirect methods and have an unknown longevity in situ. Clothing items from crime scenes are often submitted for trace DNA analysis, usually in attempt to identify a person of interest. This study examined the transfer of DNA onto three 10 × 10 cm areas located on the front, back and shoulder of an individual’s external clothing (n = 300) during a regular day’s activity. After wearing for a day, the DNA quantity on all three areas increased approximately 8-fold, which usually corresponded with an increase in the endogenous DNA from the wearer on the front area of the shirt. However, the back area of the shirt was more likely to demonstrate mixtures of endogenous and extraneous DNA. An additional study was also carried out to examine whether domestic laundering is a possible mechanism for the transfer of foreign DNA onto freshly laundered items and revealed that 74% of UV-treated cotton swatch samples produced DNA profiles after laundry with household garments. In summary, this study highlights the ease of DNA transfer onto an individual’s external clothing during a regular day, and that extraneous DNA may be already on the clothing item prior to it being worn. The study provides empirical data to assist in the interpretation of trace DNA profiles and support a Bayesian approach to estimate statistical likelihoods for the transfer of foreign DNA. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Legal Medicine	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s00414-017-1736-x	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Chromosomes, Human, Y	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	DNA	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Likelihood Functions	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	DNA Fingerprinting	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Touch	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Microsatellite Repeats	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Alleles	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Laundering	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Clothing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Amelogenin	en_US
dc.title	Investigation of DNA transfer onto clothing during regular daily activities	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	132	en_US
utslib.for	0399 Other Chemical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	0699 Other Biological Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	132	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Low levels of DNA from an unidentified human source, often referred to as trace DNA, are ubiquitous, can be transferred onto objects by either direct or indirect methods and have an unknown longevity in situ. Clothing items from crime scenes are often submitted for trace DNA analysis, usually in attempt to identify a person of interest. This study examined the transfer of DNA onto three 10 × 10 cm areas located on the front, back and shoulder of an individual’s external clothing (n = 300) during a regular day’s activity. After wearing for a day, the DNA quantity on all three areas increased approximately 8-fold, which usually corresponded with an increase in the endogenous DNA from the wearer on the front area of the shirt. However, the back area of the shirt was more likely to demonstrate mixtures of endogenous and extraneous DNA. An additional study was also carried out to examine whether domestic laundering is a possible mechanism for the transfer of foreign DNA onto freshly laundered items and revealed that 74% of UV-treated cotton swatch samples produced DNA profiles after laundry with household garments. In summary, this study highlights the ease of DNA transfer onto an individual’s external clothing during a regular day, and that extraneous DNA may be already on the clothing item prior to it being worn. The study provides empirical data to assist in the interpretation of trace DNA profiles and support a Bayesian approach to estimate statistical likelihoods for the transfer of foreign DNA. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/121055