Taking the microfluidic approach to nucleic acid analysis in forensics: Review and perspectives

High efficiency sperm enrichment from forensic mock samples in bubble-based acoustic filtration devices for short tandem repeat (STR) analysis

“…The device also offers the advantage of being integrable for downstream DNA processing and analysis, providing opportunities for further advancements. As the forensic community has long anticipated the development of microfluidic devices that can expedite and automate the sample preparation and analysis processes involved in forensic DNA typing, [53][54][55] our development not only addresses this need but also demonstrates the potential to identify previously barely-detectable alleles and enhance the human identification capabilities for emerging applications in the field.…”

On the Application of Microfluidic-Based Technologies in Forensics: A Review

“…In serological analysis, evidence is sampled and tested for the presence of body fluids (BFs). The detection and identification of body fluids recovered from a crime scene provide contextual information for forensic casework such as event timeline, scene reconstruction, and involvement of possible individuals [4]. The detection (determining the presence or absence of body fluids) and identification of BFs (determining the source to conclusively identify an individual via further laboratory testing including DNA analysis) are vital in a wide range of investigations [7].…”

“…Various aspects of these systems, e.g., ease-of-operation, associated costs, time of analysis, and portability are discussed; while the advantages of these systems are prominent, further improvements regarding the possibility of analyzing a wider range of forensic samples and regarding the cost of the cartridges are needed [162]. In another review by Turiello et al, the fully automated microfluidic-based systems for DNA analysis, the so-called, "swab-in-profile-out" have been investigated critically [4]. Despite the tremendous investments and research works which have been performed so far, only a few automated systems are available commercially.…”

“…This technology further provides the possibility of (1) integrating multiple analysis steps and (2) analysis of multiple analytes (multiplexing) in a single platform contributing to effective case scenario developments. There are multiple review articles in which the application of microfluidics in specific areas of forensic diagnosis, namely DNA analysis and on-scene human identification [3,4] as well as drug analysis [5], are detailed. In a review paper by Musile et al, applications of a subclass of microfluidic platforms (paper-based microfluidic devices) are discussed for DNA, drug, and explosive analyses with a specific focus on fabrication strategies [6].…”

“…Associated trade-offs with sample-to-answer platforms: Up to this date, there are few commercial rapid DNA analysis platforms which can provide a sample-to-DNA profile. Compared to the conventional method, these platforms have some limitations and trade-offs including reduced sensitivity, higher costs than originally anticipated, speed, and throughput [4]. These trade-offs along with the cultural forensic landscape have further limited the use of such commercial sample-to-answer platforms, making the implementation of fluidic technology in the forensic field a complex task.…”