NCJ Number
219470
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2007 Pages: 530-538
Date Published
July 2007
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effectiveness of osmolytes for the preservation of DNA extracted from bloodstains.
Abstract
Results indicated that at higher temperatures the osmolyte trehalose was a better preservative of DNA in bloodstains than sorbitol. Specifically, the DNA samples recovered from the 10 percent or 20 percent trehalose-containing blood samples were the least degraded after 4 months under the different testing conditions. The findings are encouraging because the addition of a DNA stabilizer such as trehalose would benefit many laboratories because blood samples would no longer need to be stored in freezers but could instead be stored at room temperature. The research method involved collecting approximately 50 mL of liquid blood from a known male. Five sets of bloodstains were made with the blood on Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) sample application pieces. Bloodstains were air-dried overnight. One bloodstain set was prepared using untreated blood while subsequent bloodstains were prepared using blood treated with either 10 percent trehalose, 10 percent sorbitol, 20 percent trehalose, or 20 percent sorbitol. Bloodstains were stored at room temperature for 12 days and were then placed either at room temperature, -20 degrees C, 75 degrees C, or 90 degree C for 4 months. DNA extraction was performed and samples were analyzed using yield gels followed by STR analysis. Figures, table, references