Trace DNA Transfer in Co-Working Spaces: The Importance of Background DNA Analysis

The presence of background DNA (bgDNA) can hinder the evaluation of DNA evidence at the activity level, especially when the suspect is expected to be retrieved due to their habitual occupation of the investigated environment. Based on real-life casework circumstances, this study investigates the pre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2024-02, Vol.25 (4), p.2207
Main Authors: Onofri, Martina, Tommolini, Federica, Severini, Simona, Gambelunghe, Cristiana, Lancia, Massimo, Carlini, Luigi, Carnevali, Eugenia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
background DNA
Credit cards
DNA - analysis
DNA - genetics
DNA Fingerprinting
DNA transfer
forensic
Genetic testing
Humans
Investigations
non-self DNA
prevalence
Probability
Touch
touch DNA
Variables
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Summary:The presence of background DNA (bgDNA) can hinder the evaluation of DNA evidence at the activity level, especially when the suspect is expected to be retrieved due to their habitual occupation of the investigated environment. Based on real-life casework circumstances, this study investigates the prevalence, composition, origin, and probable transfer routes of bgDNA found on personal items in situations where their owner and person of interest (POI) share the same workspace. Baseline values of bgDNA were evaluated on the participants' personal items. Secondary and higher degree transfer scenarios of non-self DNA deposition were also investigated. The DNA from co-workers and co-inhabiting partners can be recovered from an individual's personal belongings. Non-self DNA present on the hands and deposited on a sterile surface can generate uninformative profiles. The accumulation of foreign DNA on surfaces over time appears to be crucial for the recovery of comparable profiles, resulting in detectable further transfer onto other surfaces. For a thorough evaluation of touch DNA traces at the activity level, it is necessary to collect information not only about DNA transfer probabilities but also about the presence of the POI as part of the 'baseline' bgDNA of the substrates involved.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms25042207