U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Specific and Sensitive mRNA Biomarkers for the Identification of Skin in Touch DNA Evidence
NCJ Number
              240063
Journal

*Forensic Science International: Genetics* Volume: 6 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2012 Pages: 548-558
Author(s)
          E. Hanson;
                        C. Haas;
                        R. Jucker;
                        J. Ballantyne
Date Published

September 2012
Length
              11 pages
Annotation
              This study sought to identify novel highly specific and sensitive messenger RNA (mRNA) biomarkers for the identification of skin. In forensic casework analysis it is often necessary to attempt to obtain DNA profiles from microscopic amounts of biological material left behind by perpetrators of crime. The ability to obtain profiles from trace biological evidence is routinely demonstrated with so-called 'touch DNA' evidence, which is generally perceived to be the result of DNA obtained from shed skin cells transferred from donor to an object or person during physical contact. Although a genetic profile from trace biological evidence is routinely obtained, the tissue source of the profile is rarely known. This merely perpetuates the 'mystery' of the nature of 'touch DNA' evidence, allowing the significance or meaningfulness of genetic profiles obtained from these samples to be challenged.
Abstract
              Numerous reports state that the tissue source of origin of 'touch DNA' evidence cannot be determined due to the small amount of biological material present, while others conclude that the DNA profiles are obtained from shed skin cells (as opposed to, say, buccal epithelial cells present in saliva traces) without any scientific basis for this assertion. Proper identification of the biological material present might be crucial to the investigation and prosecution of a criminal offense, and a misrepresentation of the nature of the evidence can have undue influence on the perception of the circumstance of the crime. Thus far, research has failed to provide forensic scientists with feasible, definitive methods to identify the tissue origin of 'touch DNA'. In the current study, gene candidates were identified using both literature searches and whole transcriptome deep sequencing (RNA-Seq). Utilizing this dual approach, the study identified and evaluated over 100 gene candidates. Five mRNA markers were identified that demonstrated a high degree of specificity for skin. Using these markers, the researchers have been able to successfully detect and identify skin using as little as 5-25 pg of input total RNA from skin and, significantly, in swabs of human skin and various touched objects. One of the markers, LCE1C, is particularly highly sensitive and was detected in the majority of skin samples tested, including touched objects. The researchers have been successful in incorporating the five skin biomarkers into two multiplex systems. Although further work is needed to optimize the assay for routine casework, the initial studies demonstrate that a molecular-based characterization of the biological material recovered from touch samples is possible. (Published Abstract)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2008-DN-BX-K007
                                2010-DN-BX-K139


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)


  
  
        
  Award
        Molecular Characterization of Trace Biological Evidence for the Optimized Recovery and Analysis of 'Touch DNA'
                                De-convolution of Body Fluid Mixtures: Cell Type Identification and Single Source Genetic Profiling of Micro-Dissected Cells
    
  
  
Date Published: September 1, 2012
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Criminology
        DNA fingerprinting
        Forensic sciences
        Investigative techniques
        NIJ Grant-related Documents



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Technical Note – Microcrystal Tests
                  Technical Note – Gas Chromatography-Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (GC-VUV)
                  Development of Portable Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Nanosensors for Ultrasensitive Characterization of Drugs in Human Biofluids
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov