DNA detection of a temporary and original user of an office space

Publication date: Available online 11 November 2019Source: Forensic Science International: GeneticsAuthor(s): Mariya Goray, Bas Kokshoorn, Kristy Steensma, Bianca Szkuta, Roland A.H. van OorschotAbstractThere is a need to improve our awareness of the transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery of DNA (DNA-TPPR) from items/surfaces, and within different spaces and circumstances, to assist sample targeting during collection and activity level assessments. Here we investigate DNA-TPPR within office spaces. Specifically, to what extent DNA, left by a temporary user of an office space that has been occupied by a regular user for an extended period, is detectable when the duration of their temporary occupancy and their general activities are known. Also, how readily the DNA of the regular user is still detectable after a known period of occupancy by another person, and to what extent DNA of others is present.Samples were collected from 18 core items/surfaces within eight single use office spaces that had been used temporarily by another occupant for 2.5 to 7 hours. Four of these offices were within one forensic laboratory and four within another. Each lab collected and processed the samples to generate DNA profiles using their own set of methodologies.The owner/regular user of an office space was found to be the major/majority contributor to profiles from most items within the space, even after temporary use by another person. The detectability of the temporary occupier of an ...
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics - Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research