Case report
Ninhydrin-dyed latent fingerprints as a DNA source in a murder case

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcfm.2004.04.002Get rights and content

Abstract

In this case report, we describe the possibility of using ninhydrin-dyed fingerprints as a DNA source for STR typing. Preliminary tests prove that ninhydrin-dyed material still can be useful for STR typing. The case material consisted of seven ninhydrin-labeled latent fingerprints found at a murder crime site, which could not be typed in a classical manner. We were able to swap DNA from the ninhydrin-treated areas and successfully use it for STR typing.

Introduction

It has been shown that even a single skin contact, documented by a latent fingerprint, can transfer enough DNA for genetic analysis.[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7] The fingerprints in these studies were visualized with several powders such as soot or magnetic powder, by a forensic light source, using cyanoacrylate fuming or staining with BY-40 and then crystal violet. Fingerprints placed on an absorbent surface like paper are often dyed using ninhydrin in Germany. Ninhydrin is an achromatic molecule, which chemically reacts with amino acids and primary amines to a violet molecule. During this dye reaction, ninhydrin accumulates at the primary amines of the amino acids. Free primary amines also exist at carbon atoms of the bases Adenine (C-6), Guanine (C-2) and Cytosine (C-4). With these functional groups, hydrogen bridges to the complementary bases are built. A reaction of free ninhydrin molecules would be possible in principle, if reactive ninhydrin is able to pass the cell membrane or free DNA is already available, and if the reaction could abrogate the bond of the hydrogen bridges. This would presumably make the DNA inoperative for PCR. Moreover, if there is still reactive ninhydrin, this would react with the Taq polymerase and very likely inhibit PCR. Therefore, we decided to do some preliminary testing before working with the case material.

Section snippets

Preliminary tests

First, we placed DNA probes (K 562, Serac) on cellulose and dried them. Then we attempted to dye the DNA with ninhydrin spray (Hans Stöckle GmbH, München). For the development of the dye reaction, all probes where incubated overnight, at room temperature, in a humid chamber and in a dark place according to the manufacturer's recommended instructions.

Then we placed DNA probes (K 562, Serac) containing proteinase K (Merck) on cellulose and dried them. After that, we cut the DNA spots into equal

Preliminary tests

The ninhydrin did not interact with the DNA placed on cellulose and, therefore, no dye reaction occurred. The DNA/proteinase K samples became dyed by ninhydrin. Although the DNA amounts were smaller on average in the ninhydrin samples, compared with the ninhydrin-free probes, we did not observe strong inhibitory effects. The detected DNA quantities differed by less than 10% from the expected values. All blood samples (dyed/not dyed) were typed correctly and, by comparing the peak areas, we did

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