Swabbing Firearms for Handler’s DNA

Richert, Julien

doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01766.x

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Also, in a 1997 study, Karger et al were first to analyse human victim DNA retrieved from three penetrating bullets that had been recovered from a crime scene and they succeeded in identifying the victims based on short tandem repeat (STR) typing results from the collected DNA [3]. Two more recent studies introduce and analyse methods to recover DNA from firearms and ammunition to identify the individual that handled them [1,4]. However, up to date, after thoroughly browsing the literature and to the best of our knowledge, there has been no effort to locate and characterise human victim DNA in firearms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Persistence of biological traces in gun barrels—an approach to an experimental model

2011

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Traces of backspatter in gun barrels after homicidal or suicidal contact shots may be a valuable source of forensic evidence. Yet, a systematic investigation of the persistence and durability of DNA from biological traces in gun barrels is lacking. Our aim was to generate a realistic model to emulate blood and tissue spatters in gun barrels generated by contact gunshots at biological targets and to analyse the persistence and typability of DNA recovered from such stains. Herein, we devise and evaluate three different models for the emulation of backspatter from contact shots: a gelatine-based model with embedded blood bags, a model based on a spongious matrix soaked with blood and covered with a thin plastic membrane and a head model consisting of an acrylic half sphere filled with ballistic gelatine and with blood bags attached to the sphere under a 3-mm silicone layer. The sampling procedure for all three models: a first shot was fired with several types of guns at each model construction and subsequently a second shot was fired at a backstop. Blood samples were collected after each shot by probing the inner surface of the front and rear end of the respective gun barrel with a sterile swab. DNA was then extracted and quantified and up to 20 different short tandem repeat (STR) systems were amplified to generate DNA profiles. Although DNA quantity and STR typing results were heterogenous between the models, all models succeeded in delivering full STR profiles even after more than one shot. We conclude that biological traces in gun barrels are robust and accessible to forensic analysis and that systematic examination of the inside of gun barrels may be advisable for forensic casework.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Therefore, those efforts are mainly focused on skin cells adherent to the weapon that have been shed by handling the object [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistence of biological traces in gun barrels—an approach to an experimental model

2011

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“…Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has the potential to be recovered from numerous types of evidentiary items and surfaces in a variety of forensic casework. Probative DNA samples can be collected and profiles developed from traditional sources such as blood, body fluids, hair, and tissue to items commonly submitted to forensic DNA laboratories such as firearms , garments , and household items . Increases in the sensitivity of forensic DNA analysis methods have opened up the range of potential evidentiary items to include just about anything that a person may come into physical contact with .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Cosmetic Applicators as a Source ofDNAfor Forensic Analysis

Adamowicz

Labonte²,

Schienman³

2015

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Personal products, such as toothbrushes, have been used as both known reference and evidentiary samples for forensic DNA analysis. This study examined the viability of a broad selection of cosmetic applicators for use as targets for human DNA extraction and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions. Applicator types included eyeliner smudgers, pencils and crayons, eye shadow sponges, mascara wands, concealer wands, face makeup sponges, pads and brushes, lipsticks and balms, and lip gloss wands. The quantity and quality of DNA extracted from each type of applicator were examined by assessing the number of loci successfully amplified and the peak balance of the heterozygous alleles in each full STR profile. While degraded DNA, stochastic amplification, and PCR inhibition were observed for some items, full STR profiles were developed for 14 of 76 applicators. The face makeup sponge applicators yielded the highest proportional number of full STR profiles (4/7).

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“…Some parts of a firearm might be more or less likely than others to produce viable DNA samples. A recent analysis of firearm DNA swabbing by the Illinois State Police found grips and slides to be the most productive sources (as measured by average number of loci profiled) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Touch DNA Collection Versus Firearm Fingerprinting: Comparing Evidence Production and Identification Outcomes

Nunn

2013

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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A project by a metropolitan police agency in 2008-2009 had police use touch DNA kits to collect cell samples from seized firearms. To assess outcomes, results of touch DNA swabbing of firearms were compared to fingerprinting firearm evidence. The rationale was that fingerprinting, as the older technology, was the baseline against which to compare touch DNA. But little is known about ways to measure touch DNA productivity compared to fingerprinting. To examine differences between the two requires comparable measurements. Two measures were used: quantity of probative or investigative evidence produced and identification outcomes. When applied to firearms seized within an Indianapolis, IN police district, touch DNA produced a larger volume of evidence than fingerprinting, but identification outcomes for the two methods were equal. Because touch DNA was deployed by police patrol officers, there are implications for firearm forensics and the choice of forensic approaches used by police.

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Swabbing Firearms for Handler’s DNA

Cited by 15 publications

References 12 publications

Persistence of biological traces in gun barrels—an approach to an experimental model

Persistence of biological traces in gun barrels—an approach to an experimental model

The Potential of Cosmetic Applicators as a Source ofDNAfor Forensic Analysis

Touch DNA Collection Versus Firearm Fingerprinting: Comparing Evidence Production and Identification Outcomes

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