Effects of Cyanoacrylate Fuming, Time After Recovery, and Location of Biological Material on the Recovery and Analysis of DNA From Post-Blast Pipe Bomb Fragments

• NCJ Number: 228511
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 1059-1067
• Author(s): Todd W. Bille, M.S.; Carter Cromartie, M.F.S.; Matthew Farr, M.S.
• Date Published: September 2009
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical); Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the effects of time, cyanoacrylate fuming, and location of the biological material on DNA analysis of postblast pipe bomb fragments.

Abstract

The study confirmed that it was possible to perform nuclear DNA testing on biological material recovered from postblast pipe bomb fragments; however, the study also identified several factors that might affect the success of the DNA typing. One major factor is the ability to recover DNA from cellular material once it has dried on the surface of the pipe nipple or end cap. One possibility is that the cells become difficult to remove by using the typical swabbing method, although there may be other causes. The time between the device deflagration and the collection and analysis of the biological material also had a significant effect on the recovery of DNA. On average, a 90-percent reduction in DNA recovery occurred after 3 months. This suggests that cases involving postblast bomb fragments should be prioritized in order to increase the chances of successful DNA analysis. The original location of the biological material also influenced the amount of DNA recovered. Approximately double the quantity of DNA was recovered from the pipe nipples compared with the end caps. Further, cyanoacrylate fuming did not show a measurable effect on the recovery of DNA or DNA typing success. Suggestions are offered for future research. For this study, six pipe bombs were assembled. Multiple aliquots of a cell suspension (prepared by soaking buccal swabs in water) were deposited on components of the devices prior to assembly. The pipe bombs were then deflagrated and the fragments recovered. Fragments from half of the devices were cyanoacrylate fumed. The cell spots on the fragments were swabbed, and polymerase chain reaction/short tandem repeat analysis was performed 1 week and 3 months after deflagration. 5 tables, 4 figures, and 16 references