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Monitoring cell loss through repetitive deposition.
Piyamas Petcharoen1,2, Kenneth Paul Kirkbride2, Adrian Linacre2
1School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|September 16, 2022
Summary
Repeated touching of surfaces transfers fewer skin cells with each contact. Diamond Dye (DD) revealed significant reductions in deposited touch DNA after the first touch, offering insights into cell transfer dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Touch DNA is crucial evidence in forensic investigations.
- Understanding cell deposition patterns from repeated touch is vital for interpreting forensic evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the reduction in cellular material deposited during sequential touch events.
- To investigate the utility of Diamond Dye (DD) for monitoring touch DNA transfer.
Main Methods:
- A "heavy shedder" volunteer made sequential thumbprint depositions on glass slides.
- Depositions were visualized and quantified using Diamond Dye (DD) and an in-house cell-counting program.
- Cell counts were analyzed across first, second, and third depositions over 30 trials.
Main Results:
- The second deposition transferred approximately 70% fewer cells than the first.
- The third deposition transferred approximately 85% fewer cells than the first.
- Cell persistence analysis showed no significant difference between full and partial thumbprint scoring.
Conclusions:
- Cellular deposition significantly decreases with repeated touch events.
- This study provides quantitative data on touch DNA transfer, informing forensic analysis.
- Findings have implications for understanding cell deposition during various human activities.
