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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
Published on: November 30, 2021
The use of commercial alcohol products to sterilize bones prior to DNA sampling
Carl Winskog1, Helena Nilsson, Kerstin Montelius
1Discipline of Pathology, Level 3 Medical School North Building, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. carl.winskog@sa.gov.au
Abstract:
In disaster situations it is not always possible to maintain an adequate supply of standard equipment and sterilizing solutions. We have compared bone samples from cadavers cleaned in commercial white alcohol to samples from the same individuals cleaned with 95% surgical spirit. We have found that it is possible to use a commercial, white spirit to clean specimens taken from human cadavers femoral diaphysis collected for DNA analysis.
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