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Article
Touch DNA Collection Techniques for Non-
Porous Surfaces using Cotton and Nylon Swabs
Alketbi, Salem Khalifa and Goodwin, William H
Available at http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/38390/
Alketbi, Salem Khalifa ORCID: 0000-0002-7773-3953 and Goodwin, William H ORCID:
0000-0002-3632-3552 (2021) Touch DNA Collection Techniques for Non-Porous
Surfaces using Cotton and Nylon Swabs. Biomedical Journal of Scientific and Technical
Research, 36 (3). pp. 28608-28611. ISSN 2574-1241
It is advisable to refer to the publisher’s version if you intend to cite from the work.
10.26717/BJSTR.2021.36.005863
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Copyright@ Salem K Alketbi | Biomed J Sci & Tech Res | BJSTR. MS.ID.005863. 28608
Short Communication
ISSN: 2574 -1241
Touch DNA Collection Techniques for Non-Porous
Surfaces Using Cotton and Nylon Swabs
Salem K Alketbi1,2* and Goodwin W1
1University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
2General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, Dubai, UAE
*Corresponding author: Salem K Alketbi, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.36.005863
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
Touch DNA, commonly known as trace DNA, is widely used in forensic DNA casework.
However, touch DNA samples are challenging because of the many variables that can
amongst the three recovery techniques tested to recover touch DNA with cotton swabs
from glass surfaces exposed to high humidity and low temperature (5 °C/78%) (p <
DNA from non-porous humid surfaces such as glass.
Received: June 05, 2021
Published: June 15, 2021
Citation: Salem K Alketbi, Goodwin W.
Touch DNA Collection Techniques for
Non-Porous Surfaces Using Cotton and
Nylon Swabs. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res
36(3)-2021. BJSTR. MS.ID.005862.
Keywords:
Kit
Introduction
Touch DNA, commonly known as trace DNA, is widely used in
forensic DNA casework as it is an important tool to link suspects
to crime scenes, especially when other types of biological
collection of touch DNA from a wide range of surfaces and items
to collect touch DNA from surfaces and a study by Alketbi and
DNA from glass (smooth non-porous surface). Therefore, this study
aimed to test different techniques using cotton (150C) and nylon
non-porous surfaces. Three recovery techniques were evaluated
the quantity of collected touch DNA. Also, four recovery techniques
recovery.
Materials and Methods
Experimental Setup and Deposition
requested to wash their hands with antibacterial soap, abstain from
enough DNA. After a further 5 minutes, the participant was asked
Copyright@ Salem K Alketbi | Biomed J Sci & Tech Res | BJSTR. MS.ID.005863.
Volume 36- Issue 3 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.36.005863
28609
both hands one at a time, by applying medium pressure on a 5x7cm
surface area for one minute. The participant was instructed to
repeat the same process for each surface deposition. The surfaces
were sterilised before use using 2% Virkon (viricidal disinfectant)
and ultraviolet radiation (UV) for 15 minutes.
Experiment one
Touch DNA samples deposited on textured plastic (rough non-
porous surface) (n=36) were collected immediately after deposition
using cotton and nylon swabs. Different quantities of distilled water
were used to moisten the swabs via plastic spray bottle technique
manufacturer (n=12)
The DNA was extracted from the swabs heads using the
Experiment Two
Touch DNA was deposited on glass (smooth non-porous surface)
spray bottle (n=8)
b) Dry cotton swab (n=8)
c) Dry Nylon swab (n=8)
pipette (n=8)
DNA Quantification and Analysis
(qPCR) and HID Real-Time PCR analysis software v1.3 (Thermo
Statistical analysis was performed with RStudio using factorial
sterilisation and negative controls for the collection and extraction
methods were all negative for DNA.
Results and Discussion
Experiment one
techniques to collect touch DNA with cotton and nylon swabs from
of wetting reagent on the nylon swab resulted in some of the DNA
2).
Figure 1: The amount of DNA recovered from twelve replicates (n=36) by each technique:
(a) Cottonswabwith100μlwater,
(b) N=nylonswabwith100μlwaterand
(c) Nylonswabwith30μlwater.
Copyright@ Salem K Alketbi | Biomed J Sci & Tech Res | BJSTR. MS.ID.005863.
Volume 36- Issue 3 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.36.005863
28610
Figure 2: The mean DNA quantity recovered (n=36) by each technique:
(a) Cottonswabwith100μlwater,
(b) Nylonswabwith100μlwaterand
(c) Nylonswabwith30μlwater.Errorbarsrepresentstandarderror.
Experiment Two
techniques tested to collect touch DNA with cotton and nylon swabs
from glass surfaces exposed to high humidity and low temperature
non-porous humid surfaces such as glass. Using moist cotton (a) or
nylon (d) swabs can leave some of the trace DNA uncollected on the
Figure 3: The amount of DNA recovered from eight replicates (n=32) by each technique:
(a) Moistcottonswab,
(b) Drycottonswab,
(c) Dry nylon swab and
(d) Moistnylonswab.
Copyright@ Salem K Alketbi | Biomed J Sci & Tech Res | BJSTR. MS.ID.005863.
Volume 36- Issue 3 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.36.005863
28611
Figure 4: Mean of DNA recovered from eight replicates (n=32) by each technique:
(a) Moistcottonswab,
(b) Drycottonswab,
(c) Dry nylon swab and
(d) Moistnylonswab.Errorbarsrepresentstandarderror.
Conclusion
amount of DNA recovered from non-porous surfaces. Nylon swabs
are recommended for the recovery of touch DNA from non-porous,
the quantity of touch DNA recovered from non-porous surfaces
such as glass, therefore, dry swabs are recommended to improve
DNA recovery.
Acknowledgement
Science and Criminology in Dubai Police and ethical approval was
University of Central Lancashire’s Research Ethics Committee (ref.
References
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2. Polley D, Mickiewicz P, Vaughn M, Miller T, Warburton R, et al. (2006)
3.
5.
6.
for sampling different biological materials from different substrates.
7.
8.
Copyright@ Salem K Alketbi | Biomed J Sci & Tech Res | BJSTR. MS.ID.005863.
Volume 36- Issue 3 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.36.005863
28612
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ISSN: 2574-1241
10.26717/BJSTR.2021.36.005863
Salem K Alketbi. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res
