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Erschienen in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 2/2021

12.11.2020 | Original Article

Evaluation of the efficiency of Isohelix™ and Rayon swabs for recovery of DNA from metal surfaces

verfasst von: Dan O. M. Bonsu, Denice Higgins, Julianne Henry, Jeremy J. Austin

Erschienen in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Ausgabe 2/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

We investigated the recovery and extraction efficiency of DNA from three metal surfaces (brass, copper, steel) relevant to forensic casework, and plastic (control) using two different swabbing systems; Rayon and Isohelix™ swabs, with sterile water and isopropyl alcohol respectively, as the wetting solutions.

Methods

Twenty nanograms of human genomic DNA were applied directly to Isohelix™ and Rayon swabs; and to the metal and plastic substrates. All substrates were left to dry for 24 h, followed by single wet swabbing and extraction with the DNA IQ™ System. DNA extracts were quantified using real time quantitative PCR assays with SYBR green chemistry.

Results

DNA was extracted from directly seeded Isohelix™ swabs with a high efficiency of 98%, indicating effective DNA-release from the swab into the extraction buffer. In contrast, only 58% of input DNA was recovered from seeded Rayon swabs, indicating higher DNA retention by these swabs. Isohelix™ swabs recovered 32 – 53% of DNA from metal surfaces, whilst the Rayon swabs recovered 11—29%. DNA recovery was lowest from copper and highest from brass. Interestingly, Rayon swabs appeared to collect more DNA from the plastic surface than Isohelix™ swabs, however, due to the lower release of DNA from Rayon swabs they returned less DNA overall following extraction than Isohelix™ swabs.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that DNA samples deposited on metal surfaces can be more efficiently recovered using Isohelix™ swabs wetted with isopropyl alcohol than Rayon swabs wetted with sterile water, although recovery is affected by the substrate type.
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Metadaten
Titel
Evaluation of the efficiency of Isohelix™ and Rayon swabs for recovery of DNA from metal surfaces
verfasst von
Dan O. M. Bonsu
Denice Higgins
Julianne Henry
Jeremy J. Austin
Publikationsdatum
12.11.2020
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Ausgabe 2/2021
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Elektronische ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-020-00329-x

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