Work

Collection of amino acids and DNA from fingerprints using hydrogels

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: The amino acid profile obtained from a fingerprint may provide valuable information on its donor. For forensic scientists, recovering evidence relating to the amino acid profile of a suspect can potentially be valuable for identification and exclusion purposes. Herein we detail the use of cross-linkable solutions of dextran-methacrylate to form hydrogels capable of collecting amino acids from surfaces followed by extraction and quantification with UPLC-MS. This method allows for the amino acid profile analysis of fingerprints while allowing for their increased visualisation at a later stage using the standard method of cyanoacrylation. We will demonstrate this method to also be capable of collecting DNA from fingerprints with a 20-60% yield in comparison to using a conventional cotton swab.

Source: The Analyst

DOI: 10.1039/c7an01692a

Authors: Ward van Helmond, Vincent O'Brien, Robin de Jong, Jan van Esch, Sander Oldenhof, Marcel de Puit

Institutions: Netherlands Forensic Institute, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Forensic Fingerprint Detection Methods

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Erasmus+

Awards: G7536211475, G7599883929