Understanding DNA

Transfer Events
Michael J. Spence, Ph.D.
WHAT IS DNA?
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
DNA is the genetic blueprint that
encodes your physical appearance
You receive of your DNA from
your mother & from your father.
The Locard Exchange Principal
Every contact leaves a trace.
CRIME SCENE
VICTIM SUSPECT
1910
What can DNA tell us
about a crime?
Determine the
DNA profile
Compare each DNA profile
from evidence to profiles
collected from individuals
Nucleated
Cells
The most common sources of DNA:
*All nucleated cells*

Blood
Hair Root
Saliva
Bone
Extraction
Semen
Additional Sources of DNA
Often Examined by Crime Labs
Epithelial (skin) cells deposited or transferred
Ski masks, Hat bands, gloves, other clothing
Towels, washcloths, sheets, and bedding
Doorknobs, cabinet, and faucet handles
Combs, toothbrushes, personal grooming items
Rings, earrings, and other jewelry
Drink containers, cigarette butts, chewing gum
Stamps & Envelopes
Steering wheel, gear shift, door handles-vehicles
Are DNA Transfer Events Fact or Speculation?
The Locard Exchange Principal.
Frequent transfer of viruses-colds/flus.
Radioactive DNA contamination.
Contamination in police labs
Transfer events-cells and DNA
Intimate contact, kissing and/or sexual
activity, hugs, handshakes, etc.
Clothing/bedding/towels used by 1
st

person, then shared by a 2
nd
person.
Sharing cigarettes/drink containers, etc.
Skin cells transferred during handling
of door knobs/handles, phones, pens,
pencils, computer keyboards, car keys,
steering wheels, sunglasses, stairwell
railings, vending machines, etc.
Transfer events: cells and DNA
The higher the 'liquid' content (blood,
sweat, tears, saliva), the more readily
cells and DNA will be transferred.
Coughing, sneezing directly onto an
item or transferred via handkerchiefs,
facial tissue.
Transfer from a used pillow case
(sweat, saliva, skin cells) onto a firearm
that has been placed under the pillow.
Important facts: skin & saliva cells
The average adult human body is covered
with over 100 BILLION skin cells (this is 6
pounds of cells)
An individual will shed roughly 600 skin
cells, ..PER SECOND.
A person might drool 5 ml (1 or 2 ketchup
packets?) of saliva onto a pillow during
each nights sleep. This leaves 40,000,000
salivary epithelial cells deposited onto that
pillow case.
Skin & saliva cells: continued
A Forensic Biologist needs only ONE
nanogram of DNA to obtain a FULL DNA
profile.
ONE nanogram of DNA can be extracted
from as few as 200 skin or saliva cells.
When a person sleeps on a pillow case,
night after night, and deposits billions of
skin and/or saliva cells onto that surface,
the transfer rate of cells/DNA from the
pillow to a firearm is UNKNOWN.
Determine the
DNA profile
Compare each DNA profile
from evidence to profiles
collected from individuals
How much IS a nanogram?
How much is 1 Gram? One packet of artificial sweetener
How much is 1 mg? 1/1000 of a Gram
How much is 1 mg? 1/1000 of a mg
How much is 1 ng? 1/1000 of a mg or 1 Billionth of 1Gram
How many cells to get 1 ng of DNA? Approximately 200
What DNA can and cannot tell us:
How? No
When? No
Who? Yes
Substrate Controls?