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Updated: Jul 10, 2025
Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics
Published on: April 6, 2019
Processing biological samples from simulated radiological terrorist events using Rapid DNA instruments.
Chantal J Frégeau1, Nancy Laurin2
1Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Forensic Science & Identification Services, National Forensic Laboratory Services, Biology Policy & Program Support, 1200 Vanier Parkway, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R2, Canada.
Portable Rapid DNA instruments can process samples contaminated with radioactive materials, but cobalt and strontium can interfere with DNA profiling. The ANDE™ 6C offers faster radioactive material disposal than the RapidHIT™ ID.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Radiochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Portable Rapid DNA instruments are crucial for on-site forensic analysis.
- Nuclear accidents or radiological dispersal devices can contaminate samples with radioactive isotopes like cesium, strontium, and cobalt.
- Evaluating instrument performance with contaminated samples is vital for disaster response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the performance of two commercial Rapid DNA instruments when processing saliva samples contaminated with cesium (Cs)-137, strontium (Sr)-90, and cobalt (Co)-60 surrogates.
- To compare the efficiency and reliability of DNA profile generation under radioactive contamination.
- To evaluate the radioactive waste management aspects of the instruments in a radiological/nuclear (RN) event scenario.
Main Methods:
- Two portable Rapid DNA instruments (ANDE™ 6C and RapidHIT™ ID) were used.
- Saliva samples (1 µL and 10 µL) on metal and plastic surfaces were spiked with Cs, Sr, and Co surrogates at varying concentrations.
- DNA profiles were analyzed for completeness, locus coverage (autosomal STR loci), and database searchability.
- Radioactive material disposal procedures and potential radiation exposure risks were assessed.
Main Results:
- Both instruments yielded comparable success rates for complete DNA profiles and database searching.
- Cobalt contamination adversely affected DNA profile quality (reduced alleles, lower peak heights) at 0.05 M and 0.1 M.
- Strontium showed adverse effects at the highest contamination level (0.1 M); cesium had no significant impact.
- The ANDE™ 6C allows for immediate disposal of radioactive materials, unlike the RapidHIT™ ID which requires extended storage.
Conclusions:
- Rapid DNA instruments can generate usable DNA profiles from contaminated samples, but radioactive elements like cobalt and strontium can interfere with performance.
- The choice of instrument impacts radioactive waste management and potential radiation exposure in an RN event.
- Further research into the mechanisms of interference by radioactive elements is warranted.
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