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High-throughput DNA extraction of forensic adhesive tapes

Forsberg, Christina ; Jansson, Linda LU ; Ansell, Ricky and Hedman, Johannes LU (2016) In Forensic Science International: Genetics 24. p.158-163
Abstract

Tape-lifting has since its introduction in the early 2000′s become a well-established sampling method in forensic DNA analysis. Sampling is quick and straightforward while the following DNA extraction is more challenging due to the “stickiness”, rigidity and size of the tape. We have developed, validated and implemented a simple and efficient direct lysis DNA extraction protocol for adhesive tapes that requires limited manual labour. The method uses Chelex beads and is applied with SceneSafe FAST tape. This direct lysis protocol provided higher mean DNA yields than PrepFiler Express BTA on Automate Express, although the differences were not significant when using clothes worn in a controlled fashion as reference material (p = 0.13 and p... (More)

Tape-lifting has since its introduction in the early 2000′s become a well-established sampling method in forensic DNA analysis. Sampling is quick and straightforward while the following DNA extraction is more challenging due to the “stickiness”, rigidity and size of the tape. We have developed, validated and implemented a simple and efficient direct lysis DNA extraction protocol for adhesive tapes that requires limited manual labour. The method uses Chelex beads and is applied with SceneSafe FAST tape. This direct lysis protocol provided higher mean DNA yields than PrepFiler Express BTA on Automate Express, although the differences were not significant when using clothes worn in a controlled fashion as reference material (p = 0.13 and p = 0.34 for T-shirts and button-down shirts, respectively). Through in-house validation we show that the method is fit-for-purpose for application in casework, as it provides high DNA yields and amplifiability, as well as good reproducibility and DNA extract stability. After implementation in casework, the proportion of extracts with DNA concentrations above 0.01 ng/μL increased from 71% to 76%. Apart from providing higher DNA yields compared with the previous method, the introduction of the developed direct lysis protocol also reduced the amount of manual labour by half and doubled the potential throughput for tapes at the laboratory. Generally, simplified manual protocols can serve as a cost-effective alternative to sophisticated automation solutions when the aim is to enable high-throughput DNA extraction of complex crime scene samples.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Forensic biology, Forensic DNA analysis, High-throughput, Tape-lifting, Touch DNA, Trace sampling
in
Forensic Science International: Genetics
volume
24
pages
6 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:84978745519
  • pmid:27448236
  • wos:000381730400029
ISSN
1872-4973
DOI
10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.06.004
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
04fb07f3-17ba-476c-af9d-f1b9b076b696
date added to LUP
2016-09-08 13:08:13
date last changed
2024-04-19 08:20:26
@article{04fb07f3-17ba-476c-af9d-f1b9b076b696,
  abstract     = {{<p>Tape-lifting has since its introduction in the early 2000′s become a well-established sampling method in forensic DNA analysis. Sampling is quick and straightforward while the following DNA extraction is more challenging due to the “stickiness”, rigidity and size of the tape. We have developed, validated and implemented a simple and efficient direct lysis DNA extraction protocol for adhesive tapes that requires limited manual labour. The method uses Chelex beads and is applied with SceneSafe FAST tape. This direct lysis protocol provided higher mean DNA yields than PrepFiler Express BTA on Automate Express, although the differences were not significant when using clothes worn in a controlled fashion as reference material (p = 0.13 and p = 0.34 for T-shirts and button-down shirts, respectively). Through in-house validation we show that the method is fit-for-purpose for application in casework, as it provides high DNA yields and amplifiability, as well as good reproducibility and DNA extract stability. After implementation in casework, the proportion of extracts with DNA concentrations above 0.01 ng/μL increased from 71% to 76%. Apart from providing higher DNA yields compared with the previous method, the introduction of the developed direct lysis protocol also reduced the amount of manual labour by half and doubled the potential throughput for tapes at the laboratory. Generally, simplified manual protocols can serve as a cost-effective alternative to sophisticated automation solutions when the aim is to enable high-throughput DNA extraction of complex crime scene samples.</p>}},
  author       = {{Forsberg, Christina and Jansson, Linda and Ansell, Ricky and Hedman, Johannes}},
  issn         = {{1872-4973}},
  keywords     = {{Forensic biology; Forensic DNA analysis; High-throughput; Tape-lifting; Touch DNA; Trace sampling}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{09}},
  pages        = {{158--163}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Forensic Science International: Genetics}},
  title        = {{High-throughput DNA extraction of forensic adhesive tapes}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.06.004}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.06.004}},
  volume       = {{24}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}