Accelerated Aging of Forensically Relevant Biological Materials on Swabs

Abstract

The preservation of DNA in biological samples is important for forensic testing, as samples can be tested years or even decades after collection. Generally, the DNA within biological evidence is stable over shorter time frames but can degrade over extended periods. In this work, we evaluated accelerated aging as a method to reduce the duration of studies examining the stability of DNA in forensic evidence-type samples. Evaluation of the DNA extracted from cells stored at 37 and 50°C for 194 or 79 days, respectively, showed similar quality metrics to cells stored at 25°C for 548 days.

Counting the days: Exploring the post‐mortem interval factors in sexual homicides

“…In particular, the duration it takes to recover a victim's body after a homicide, has received limited research attention. Quick recovery of the victim's remains is essential to preserve forensic evidence since biological materials such as DNA and RNA degrade over time, potentially affecting the evidence's integrity (Bathrick & Davoren, 2021). As such, a shorter PMI is ideal for collecting trace evidence, including fibers, hairs, and soil samples, which are critical for identifying the perpetrator and reconstructing the crime scene (Chapman et al, 2021;Cockle & Bell, 2015;Ferguson & Pooley, 2019;Reale & Beauregard, 2019).…”

“…The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUS) reports over 600,000 active missing persons cases in the United States, and it is probable that homicides are involved, in some of these cases. Unfortunately, the longer it takes law enforcement to locate a body, the greater the risk of losing valuable evidence and information (Bathrick & Davoren, 2021). Despite the extensive research literature on homicide, there has been limited focus on post‐crime behaviors, particularly body disposal patterns.…”