Enhanced forensic DNA recovery with appropriate swabs and optimized swabbing technique
(2021) In Forensic Science International: Genetics 53.- Abstract
Efficient sampling with swabs is crucial for optimal forensic DNA analysis. The DNA recovery is determined by the skill of the practitioner and the compatibility between the applied swab and the surface. Here we investigate the impact of swabbing technique and swab type on the DNA yield. Thirteen different swabs from four categories (cotton, flocked nylon, small foam and large foam) provided equal DNA yields for smooth/non-absorbing surfaces. Large foam swabs gave higher DNA recovery for an absorbing wood surface. Factorial design of experiments and ANOVA was applied to study swabbing techniques for cotton swabs. Two key factors for efficient sampling were found to be 1) holding the swab with an approximate 60° angle against the surface... (More)
Efficient sampling with swabs is crucial for optimal forensic DNA analysis. The DNA recovery is determined by the skill of the practitioner and the compatibility between the applied swab and the surface. Here we investigate the impact of swabbing technique and swab type on the DNA yield. Thirteen different swabs from four categories (cotton, flocked nylon, small foam and large foam) provided equal DNA yields for smooth/non-absorbing surfaces. Large foam swabs gave higher DNA recovery for an absorbing wood surface. Factorial design of experiments and ANOVA was applied to study swabbing techniques for cotton swabs. Two key factors for efficient sampling were found to be 1) holding the swab with an approximate 60° angle against the surface and 2) to rotate the swab during sampling. For absorbing wood, it was beneficial to wet the swab heavily. The results of the factorial experiments were used to develop swabbing protocols for different surfaces. When ten experienced practitioners sampled according to these protocols, the DNA yield was increased for ridged plastic (around 1.25 times more DNA) and absorbing wood (2.2–6.2 times more DNA). For window glass, representing a smooth/non-absorbing surface, sampling according to the protocol gave DNA yields equivalent to applying individual sampling techniques. The protocol lowered person-to-person variation for ridged plastic. In conclusion, we have developed instructive protocols for cotton swab sampling on three types of surfaces: smooth/non-absorbing, ridged/non-absorbing and smooth/absorbing. We believe that such swabbing protocols will streamline and simplify the training of new practitioners and improve sampling efficiency for invisible DNA residues in casework.
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- author
- Hedman, Johannes LU ; Akel, Yasmine LU ; Jansson, Linda LU ; Hedell, Ronny ; Wallmark, Nanny ; Forsberg, Christina and Ansell, Ricky
- organization
- publishing date
- 2021
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Cotton swab, Crime scene, Foam swab, Forensic DNA analysis, Nylon-flocked swab, Sampling
- in
- Forensic Science International: Genetics
- volume
- 53
- article number
- 102491
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85103127163
- pmid:33774569
- ISSN
- 1872-4973
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102491
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- f4c712d7-9bdd-4df2-be88-8ddfdc5b4d0e
- date added to LUP
- 2021-04-06 14:06:00
- date last changed
- 2024-06-16 11:51:38
@article{f4c712d7-9bdd-4df2-be88-8ddfdc5b4d0e,
abstract = {{<p>Efficient sampling with swabs is crucial for optimal forensic DNA analysis. The DNA recovery is determined by the skill of the practitioner and the compatibility between the applied swab and the surface. Here we investigate the impact of swabbing technique and swab type on the DNA yield. Thirteen different swabs from four categories (cotton, flocked nylon, small foam and large foam) provided equal DNA yields for smooth/non-absorbing surfaces. Large foam swabs gave higher DNA recovery for an absorbing wood surface. Factorial design of experiments and ANOVA was applied to study swabbing techniques for cotton swabs. Two key factors for efficient sampling were found to be 1) holding the swab with an approximate 60° angle against the surface and 2) to rotate the swab during sampling. For absorbing wood, it was beneficial to wet the swab heavily. The results of the factorial experiments were used to develop swabbing protocols for different surfaces. When ten experienced practitioners sampled according to these protocols, the DNA yield was increased for ridged plastic (around 1.25 times more DNA) and absorbing wood (2.2–6.2 times more DNA). For window glass, representing a smooth/non-absorbing surface, sampling according to the protocol gave DNA yields equivalent to applying individual sampling techniques. The protocol lowered person-to-person variation for ridged plastic. In conclusion, we have developed instructive protocols for cotton swab sampling on three types of surfaces: smooth/non-absorbing, ridged/non-absorbing and smooth/absorbing. We believe that such swabbing protocols will streamline and simplify the training of new practitioners and improve sampling efficiency for invisible DNA residues in casework.</p>}},
author = {{Hedman, Johannes and Akel, Yasmine and Jansson, Linda and Hedell, Ronny and Wallmark, Nanny and Forsberg, Christina and Ansell, Ricky}},
issn = {{1872-4973}},
keywords = {{Cotton swab; Crime scene; Foam swab; Forensic DNA analysis; Nylon-flocked swab; Sampling}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Forensic Science International: Genetics}},
title = {{Enhanced forensic DNA recovery with appropriate swabs and optimized swabbing technique}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102491}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102491}},
volume = {{53}},
year = {{2021}},
}