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
 Who Loaded the Gun? Recovering DNA From Bullet Casings
NCJ Number
              250284

Author(s)
          Jim Dawson
Date Published

September 2016
Length
              8 pages
Annotation
              This report describes the work being done  by several scientists working under funding from the U.S. Justice Department's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to improve the recovery of DNA from spent cartridge casings.
Abstract
              Researchers are focusing on how best to recover DNA - swabbing, soaking, or lifting with tape - and within those methods, determining which techniques are most successful.  University of Denver biologist Phillip Danielson believes researchers are on the threshold in improving the actual DNA profile (the data to be analyzed) and the type of statistical tools used to do the comparisons.   He believes the statistics are becoming more powerful, and the DNA  profiling methodologies are getting better.   David Foran, the director of the Michigan State University Forensic Science Program, believes the threshold is achieving a success rate that is sufficiently high to make DNA recovery from cartridge casings worth the time and effort of forensic investigators.   Foran's group has improved the DNA recovery success rate to about 26 percent, which refers to an overall average of a full DNA profile obtained from a series of samples.   Foran  believes this average makes the testing worthwhile, because that could provide a potentially fruitful lead in a case.  Forensic scientists  involved in such research are now turning to the use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to increase sensitivity and collect more detailed information from DNA.  Danielson indicates that with NGS, some instruments can take a single molecule of DNA and sequence that molecule.  Currently, the accuracy is not sufficiently persuasive, but researchers are moving toward greater accuracy.
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)
                                Program/Project Description
                                Issue Overview
    
  
  
Date Published: September 1, 2016
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Ammunition
        DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
        DNA extraction
        DNA typing
        Forensic sciences



  
Similar Publications
        
                      What FSSP Leaders Should Know About Artificial Intelligence And Its Application To Forensic Science In-Brief
                  What Medical Examiner’s And Coroner’s Offices Should Know About Molecular Autopsy
                  New Forensic Methods to Accurately Determine THC in Seized Cannabis
 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