DNA decontamination of fingerprint brushes

Fingerprints and DNA are both valuable sources of forensic evidence. Today, the ability to generate DNA profiles from touched objects [1 –4], resulting from the increased sensitivity of DNA typing methodologies, has enabled the routine collection of DNA from fingerprints. In cases where conventional fingerprint analysis is uninformative due to smeared or partial prints, DNA analysis provides an alternative means for obtaining proba tive evidence about the offender. In some laboratories, the collection of DNA from evidentiary items occurs prior to latent print processing, while in others collection occurs following exposure to various optical, physical and chemical fingerprint enhancement methods [5–7].
Source: Forensic Science International - Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Source Type: research