Analysis of DNA from fingernail samples in criminal cases

Bozzo, W.R.; Colussi, A.; Ortiz, Mora; Laborde, L.; Pilili, J.P.; Carini, Gabriel Fernando; Lojo, María Mercedes

doi:10.1016/j.fsigss.2015.09.237

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…It is well established that foreign DNA can accumulate under an individual's fingernails [70,[146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159], and this knowledge has been considered further in respect to its use in investigating crimes [39,42]. This DNA is relatively protected compared to other parts of the body that are exposed to physical contacts and actions.…”

Section: Fingernail Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in approximately 31% of all couples, no male DNA was detected after scratching, thus highlighting that a negative result does not necessarily indicate that scratching did not take place. -Casework fingernail samples: A number of casework sample studies (including homicides and sex offences) reported mixed DNA profiles in the range of 13 to 35% of samples (n=over 300 cases); however, 'higher quality' mixtures were detected in 7-21% of these [148,149,153,[156][157][158]. In several instances, the foreign component was detected as the major contributor.…”

Section: Examples Of Various Studies Includementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

Oorschot

Szkuta

Meakin³

et al. 2019

Forensic Science International: Genetics

227

130

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Understanding the variables impacting DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (DNA-TPPR) has become increasingly relevant in investigations of criminal activities to provide opinion on how the DNA of a person of interest became present within the sample collected. This review considers our current knowledge regarding DNA-TPPR to assist casework investigations of criminal activities. There is a growing amount of information available on DNA-TPPR to inform the relative probabilities of the evidence given alternative scenarios relating to the presence or absence of DNA from a specific person in a collected sample of interest. This information should be used where relevant. However, far more research is still required to better understand the variables impacting DNA-TPPR and to generate more accurate probability estimates of generating particular types of profiles in more casework relevant situations. This review explores means of achieving this. It also notes the need for all those interacting with an item of interest to have an awareness of DNA transfer possibilities post criminal activity, to limit the risk of contamination or loss of DNA. Appropriately trained forensic practitioners are best placed to provide opinion and guidance on the interpretation of profiles at the activity level. However, those requested to provide expert opinion on DNA-related activity level issues are often insufficiently trained to do so. We advocate recognition of DNA activity associated expertise to be distinct from expertise associated with the identification of individuals. This is to be supported by dedicated training, competency testing, authorisation, and regular fit for purpose proficiency testing. The possibilities for experts to report on activity-related issues will increase as our knowledge increases through further research, access to relevant data is enhanced, and tools to assist interpretations are better exploited. Improvement opportunities will be achieved sooner, if more laboratories and agencies accept the need to invest in these aspects as well as the training of practitioners.

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Section: Fingernail Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Examples Of Various Studies Includementioning

confidence: 99%

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

Oorschot

Szkuta

Meakin³

et al. 2019

Forensic Science International: Genetics

227

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Violent crimes are often associated with intense physical contact between the victim and the perpetrator due to struggling at the scene of the crime. This facilitates the transference of blood, epithelial cells, semen, or any other biological material between the two individuals, which could collect under the suspect's or the victim’s fingernails [ 11 , 12 ]. Thus, finding foreign biological material under the fingernails of the cadaver can be valuable evidence in the investigation of a homicide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diatom-Positive Cadaver: Drowning or Homicide?

Khurshid¹,

Shah²,

Khurshid³

et al. 2021

Cureus

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Medico-legal investigations should be performed on all unnatural (homicide, suicide, or accident), unexpected, and suspicious deaths to evaluate the possibility of homicide and ascertain the exact cause of death. However, in some scenarios, burial takes place before an autopsy can be conducted. In such cases, exhumation is performed, which involves excavating the remains of previously buried or cremated individuals for medico-legal investigations. Although the diatom test is a very useful microbiological approach in concluding death by drowning, its reliability remains controversial. Our study presents the case of a cadaver that was exhumed so that medico-legal investigations could be performed to ascertain the exact cause of death. The cadaver was recovered from water but buried before an autopsy could be performed. Upon exhumation, the greater cornu of hyoid bone was fractured with dislocation of the maxilla and mandible. The femur, sternum and clavicle were sent for diatom testing. The diatoms came out positive in the bones; however, the water sample from the gutter didn't test positive for diatoms. Thus, due to the diatom-negative status of water, diatoms from bones can't be compared with suspected water samples. Since diatoms in bones can arise as a result of contamination too, death cannot be concluded by drowning. Manual strangulation led to the fracture of the hyoid bone. Asphyxia due to throttling was declared the cause of death. Due to the unreliability of the diatom test in certain cases, other tests should be performed in auxiliary to the diatom test to conclude death by drowning.

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“…In controlled experiments with females scratching males to simulate assaults, 95% (38 out of 4288 40) of fingernail samples collected immediately and 60% (24 out of 40) of those collected 4289 five hours later were "suitable for comparison" (Iuvaro et al 2018). Analyses of fingernail 4290 samples in criminal cases were also studied (Bozzo et al 2015). 4291 4292…”

Section: Digital Penetrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Draft) DNA Mixture Interpretation

Butler¹

2021

Preprint

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The initial release of this report is a draft document, and we welcome comments and feedback from readers. All relevant submitted comments will be made publicly available and will be considered when finalizing this report. Do not include personal information, such as account numbers or Social Security numbers, or names of other individuals. Do not submit confidential business information, or otherwise proprietary, sensitive, or protected information. We will not post or consider comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language or like content. During the 60-day comment period, comments may be sent to scientificfoundationreviews@nist.gov. All comments, including commenter name and affiliation, will be published at https://www.nist.gov/dna-mixture-interpretation-nist-scientific-foundation-review. Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the authors or the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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Analysis of DNA from fingernail samples in criminal cases

Cited by 8 publications

References 6 publications

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

Diatom-Positive Cadaver: Drowning or Homicide?

(Draft) DNA Mixture Interpretation

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