Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

SCOPUS
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue: 1

Effect of Room Temperature and Length of Exposure to recover quality DNA from Earphone Swab-Derived 126bp and 143bp Mitochondrial DNA at D-loop region

  • Author:
  • Ahmad Yudiantoa,b,d,, Simon Martin Manyanza Nzilibilia,c
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Published Online: Jun 1, 2019
  • Page Number: 100 to 107

a. Lecturer Forensic Science Program, Post Graduate School, Airlangga University, Surabaya – Indonesia

b. Lecturer Department of Forensic and Medico-legal, Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya – Indonesia

d. Human Genetic Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Surabaya – Indonesia

c. MSc. Forensic Science Student Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender Elderly and Children, Dodoma – Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Exploration of crime scene devices left over and its surrounding is of significance in forensic identification. The significance is due to its association and/or potential harbor of biological evidence; ie., blood, blood spots, semen patches, vaginal swabs, buccal swabs, bones, or trace evidence. Such harboring of evidence from humankind proposes traceability under Locard's principle of contact.

Materials and Methods: Processing of cerumen expelled or traces logged from the 30 used earphones were subjected to 0, 1, 7, 14 and 20 days room temperature exposure.

Results: Length of exposure has a significant effect on decreasing the level of DNA steadily. Visualization of the results of PCR on 143bp (HVS I, nt 16268–16410) mtDNA D-loop region showed a positive (+) detection only for day 1 (4 [66.67%] samples) and day 7 (3[50%] samples). Visualization of the results of PCR on the 126bp (HVS II, nt 34–159) mtDNA D-loop region showed a positive (+) detection only for day 1 (2 [33.37%] of samples) and day 7 (6 [100%] of samples).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the length of exposure to room temperature has an effect on the quality of earphone swab-derived DNA. Decreased levels of earphone swab-derived DNA showed a significance value (p<0.005) with regard to the effect of room temperature exposure

Keywords

DNA quality, Ear phone swabs, Forensic Evidence, Mitochondrial DNA, Room temperature