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Updated: May 5, 2026

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DNA Recovery Using Different Extraction Kits and Cotton Swabs in Forensic DNA Analysis.

Ghassan Ali Salih^1,2, Martina Nilsson^1,3, Marie Allen¹

¹Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Box 815, S-751 08 Uppsala, Sweden.

|May 4, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Forensic DNA recovery is impacted by swab and extraction kit choice. Variations in DNA quantity and quality were observed, affecting downstream analysis success. Careful selection is crucial for optimal results.

Keywords:

DNA extraction STRs cotton swab sampling forensic DNA analysis forensic trace DNA mtDNA

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Area of Science:

Forensic Science
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Maximizing DNA recovery from forensic samples is critical for accurate DNA analysis.
Both DNA collection (swabbing) and purification (extraction) processes can lead to significant genetic material loss.
Pre-PCR DNA loss impacts downstream analysis, affecting forensic casework outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the DNA recovery efficiency of different cotton swabs and DNA extraction kits used in forensic casework.
To evaluate the impact of swab manufacturer, brand, and production lot on DNA quantity and quality.
To assess the performance of various extraction kits in recovering both cell-free and cell-bound DNA.

Main Methods:

Five DNA extraction kits (Chelex® 100 Resin, Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit, QIAamp® DNA Micro Kit, QIAamp® DNA Investigator Kit, DNeasy® Blood & Tissue Kit) were tested.
DNA recovery was assessed using real-time quantitative PCR for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA targets.
Nine cotton swabs from four manufacturers were evaluated for DNA quantity and quality via real-time PCR and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis.

Main Results:

Significant differences in DNA recovery were observed among the tested extraction kits.
The QIAamp® DNA Investigator Kit showed the highest DNA recovery, especially for low DNA amounts.
Swab variations in DNA recovery were noted between manufacturers and even between production lots of the same brand; DNA quantity did not consistently correlate with STR profile quality.

Conclusions:

The selection of DNA extraction kits and cotton swabs significantly influences DNA recovery in forensic procedures.
Batch-to-batch variations in swabs can impact DNA yield and quality, affecting forensic analysis success.
Forensic laboratories must carefully consider these factors to optimize DNA recovery and casework outcomes.