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For immediate release, acs news service weekly presspac: april 20, 2022.

Forensic scientists collect and analyze evidence during a criminal investigation to identify victims, determine the cause of death and figure out “who done it.” Below are some recent papers published in ACS journals reporting on new advances that could help forensic scientists solve crimes. Reporters can request free access to these papers by emailing  newsroom@acs.org .

“Insights into the Differential Preservation of Bone Proteomes in Inhumed and Entombed Cadavers from Italian Forensic Caseworks” Journal of Proteome Research March 22, 2022 Bone proteins can help determine how long ago a person died (post-mortem interval, PMI) and how old they were at the time of their death (age at death, AAD), but the levels of these proteins could vary with burial conditions. By comparing bone proteomes of exhumed individuals who had been entombed in mausoleums or buried in the ground, the researchers found several proteins whose levels were not affected by the burial environment, which they say could help with AAD or PMI estimation.

“Carbon Dot Powders with Cross-Linking-Based Long-Wavelength Emission for Multicolor Imaging of Latent Fingerprints” ACS Applied Nanomaterials Jan. 21, 2022 For decades, criminal investigators have recognized the importance of analyzing latent fingerprints left at crime scenes to help identify a perpetrator, but current methods to make these prints visible have limitations, including low contrast, low sensitivity and high toxicity. These researchers devised a simple way to make fluorescent carbon dot powders that can be applied to latent fingerprints, making them fluoresce under UV light with red, orange and yellow colors.

“Proteomics Offers New Clues for Forensic Investigations” ACS Central Science Oct. 18, 2021 This review article describes how forensic scientists are now turning their attention to proteins in bone, blood or other biological samples, which can sometimes answer questions that DNA can’t. For example, unlike DNA, a person’s complement of proteins (or proteome) changes over time, providing important clues about when a person died and their age at death.

“Integrating the MasSpec Pen with Sub-Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization for Rapid Chemical Analysis and Forensic Applications” Analytical Chemistry May 19, 2021 These researchers previously developed a “MasSpec Pen,” a handheld device integrated with a mass spectrometer for direct analysis and molecular profiling of biological samples. In this article, they develop a new version that can quickly and easily detect and measure compounds, including cocaine, oxycodone and explosives, which can be important in forensics investigations.

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Economic and Financial Crime, Sustainability and Good Governance pp 319–346 Cite as

An Overview of Forensic Accounting and Its Effectiveness in the Detection and Prevention of Fraud

  • Isabella Lucuț Capraș 2 &
  • Monica Violeta Achim 2  
  • First Online: 27 August 2023

283 Accesses

1 Citations

Part of the book series: Contributions to Finance and Accounting ((CFA))

The main purpose of this study is to determine whether forensic accounting is an effective tool for preventing fraud. To conduct a comprehensive analysis, the research examines three aspects: the skills and attributes of a forensic accountant, the techniques used in forensic accounting, and the challenges and opportunities in the development of the forensic accounting profession. The study’s sample includes 30 articles that were critically reviewed using a combination of systematic and traditional literature review methods. The main findings of the study suggest that the abilities and skills, as well as the techniques used in forensic accounting, make this function an effective tool in detecting and preventing fraud; however, they require more attention from academic institutions and specialized bodies that train accounting experts. Moreover, forensic accounting must be recognized as an independent profession. This study can assist businesses and policymakers in improving fraud detection and prevention methods. Furthermore, it can be used in schools to enhance accounting and audit curricula. The study has a social implication because it helps in the prevention and detection of fraud and discusses the forensic accounting profession.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS - UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2174, within PNCDI III.

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Capraș, I.L., Achim, M.V. (2023). An Overview of Forensic Accounting and Its Effectiveness in the Detection and Prevention of Fraud. In: Achim, M.V. (eds) Economic and Financial Crime, Sustainability and Good Governance. Contributions to Finance and Accounting. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34082-6_13

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Computer Science > Cryptography and Security

Title: dfrws eu 10-year review and future directions in digital forensic research.

Abstract: Conducting a systematic literature review and comprehensive analysis, this paper surveys all 135 peer-reviewed articles published at the Digital Forensics Research Conference Europe (DFRWS EU) spanning the decade since its inaugural running (2014-2023). This comprehensive study of DFRWS EU articles encompasses sub-disciplines such as digital forensic science, device forensics, techniques and fundamentals, artefact forensics, multimedia forensics, memory forensics, and network forensics. Quantitative analysis of the articles' co-authorships, geographical spread and citation metrics are outlined. The analysis presented offers insights into the evolution of digital forensic research efforts over these ten years and informs some identified future research directions.

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Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, a systematic review on forensic accounting and its contribution towards fraud detection and prevention.

Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance

ISSN : 1358-1988

Article publication date: 7 June 2022

Issue publication date: 9 January 2023

This paper aims to determine how forensic accounting contributes to fraud detection and prevention and answer the following research questions: What are the standard techniques for fraud detection and prevention; and What are the significant challenges that hinder the application of forensic accounting in fraud prevention and detection?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify and assess the existing literature on forensic accounting.

There exists a positive correlation between forensic accounting and fraud detection and prevention. Moreover, in both the empirical and non-empirical findings, the authors note that fraud is complex, and in carrying out fraud investigations, one must be aware of its complexity.

Practical implications

Although drug counterfeiting is a sector where forensic accountants have paid less attention, it is a rapidly expanding fraud area. This paper finds that to detect fraud at an early stage, one must increase consumer understanding of basic forensic accounting techniques by implementing accurate supply chain monitoring systems and inventory management controls and conducting adequate and effective regulatory, honest and legitimate customs inspections.

Social implications

The major factors that restrict forensic accounting are a lack of awareness and education. Hence, it is essential to incorporate forensic accounting in undergraduate and post-graduate courses.

Originality/value

From the existing literature, it has been observed that very few studies have been conducted in this field using the PRISMA and SLR techniques. Also, the authors carried out a holistic study that focuses on three different areas – fraud detection, fraud prevention and the challenges in forensic accounting.

  • Forensic accounting
  • Fraud detection
  • Fraud prevention
  • Systematic literature review

Kaur, B. , Sood, K. and Grima, S. (2023), "A systematic review on forensic accounting and its contribution towards fraud detection and prevention", Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance , Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 60-95. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRC-02-2022-0015

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We’re working out how to solve crimes in space – the final frontier of forensic science

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Disclosure statement

Zack Kowalske received funding from the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts' Dan Rahn Research Grant.

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Nasa’s Artemis program is scheduled to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a permanent orbiting laboratory by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, private companies are making significant steps in taking paying customers further into space. As humanity’s footprint expands beyond the familiar terrains of Earth to the Moon and possibly beyond, an intriguing new field emerges from the final frontier: astroforensics.

This discipline, still in its infancy, is propelled by the inevitability of human nature. Space presents a unique and harsh environment for forensic investigations. Settings that present altered gravity, cosmic radiation, extremes in temperature, and the need for oxygen-providing climate systems provide a few examples of the unearthly variables that are faced by future explorers.

Unlike Earth, where gravity, a constant force, shapes many aspects of our reality, the significant reduction of gravity in space introduces novel challenges in understanding how evidence behaves. This shift is crucial for forensic sciences like bloodstain pattern analysis, which relies heavily on gravitational effects to determine the circumstances under which blood stains are formed.

The thought of gravity in space immediately conjures images of astronauts hauntingly suspended in the void of space or floating gymnastics in the International Space Station (ISS) .

However, true zero gravity exists far away from any celestial bodies. When close to a body such as a Moon or a planet, there will be a gravitational influence, including when in orbit around a planet like Earth.

Therefore, most environments in space have low or microgravity rather than zero gravity. Given that gravity is ubiquitous and largely constant, we pay very little attention to it, usually automatically factoring it in to calculations as a constant without a second thought.

Altered gravity

But for a forensic science discipline like bloodstain pattern analysis, gravity plays a critical role in how airborne liquid blood interacts with a surface and creates stain patterns. Bloodstain pattern analysis is the use of fluid dynamics, physics, and mathematics to understand the flight and origin of blood and interpret how it was deposited on a surface in criminal investigations.

In a recently published study , we and our colleagues sought to understand the beginning principles of how the altered gravity environment of space will affect future forensic science disciplines.

For this study, published in Forensic Science International: Reports, we used a parabolic flight research plane that induces short periods of microgravity because of its up-and-down flight path. This type of flight has colloquially been referred to as the “vomit comet”.

During this period of freefalling microgravity, a number of blood drops would be projected onto a piece of paper, and the resulting bloodstain was then analysed using routine earthbound protocols. While the concept sounds simple, there was a challenge in creating a safe and controllable area to conduct experiments in a plane that was basically falling to Earth for 20 seconds.

Therefore, the experimental environment had to be attached to the cabin of the research plane, and all bloodstain generation and documentation made easily controllable. Experiments were conducted inside a repurposed paediatric incubation chamber, referred to as a glove box. This chamber is used in space medicine research for studying haemorrhage control.

A synthetic analogue of blood was used instead of real blood due to biohazard concerns in the cabin of the plane. This analogue substitute mimicked the physical properties of blood’s viscosity and surface tension. To initiate the experiment, the analogue blood was loaded into a syringe, and once microgravity was induced in free-fall, the syringe was manually depressed to project the blood across 20cm onto a sheet of white paper.

While this bears little resemblance to true criminal scenarios, it is the interaction between the blood and the surface that is of interest to the forensic investigator –- rather than the actual mechanism of projection. The blood-stained papers were then photographed and analysed as per normal procedures.

We found that microgravity does indeed change the behaviour of the blood drops and the stains they create. On Earth, blood tends to fall in a parabolic manner, with gravity pulling down on it until it strikes a surface. But in this case, the blood continued to travel in a straight line until it hit the surface.

This straight-line flight path is a fluid example of inertia in action. However, with a distance of only 20cm, this had minimal effect on the subsequent pattern.

This difference would become more apparent over larger distances, but the operational limitation of the parabolic research aircraft means it would be difficult to recreate effectively. The second key observation was the spreading action of the blood upon striking the surface.

In the typical gravity environment of Earth, liquid blood drops will undergo a series of stages in the stain creation process. This entails the droplet’s collapse, the formation of a small wave, and the spread into a final stain shape.

However, when gravity is eliminated from this action, the spreading action is inhibited by the dominating force of surface tension and cohesion, resulting in a stain shape and size that is smaller than its terrestrial twin.

We are at the beginning of a new research era, exploring the impact of the extra- terrestrial environment upon the behaviour of forensic evidence. Still, the impact of this research is not only limited to forensic sciences but more traditional natural sciences as well, such as fluid dynamics in spacecraft design and analysing faults in space forensic engineering following a spacecraft malfunction.

In order to expand research in this new forensic discipline, larger microgravity environments will be required and the authors would be more than happy to operate the galaxy’s first extraterrestrial forensic science laboratory.

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DNA Profiling in Forensic Science: A Review

Jaya lakshmi bukyya.

1 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Tirumala Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Telangana, India

M L. Avinash Tejasvi

2 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Narketpally, Telangana, India

Anulekha Avinash

3 Department of Prosthodontics, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Narketpally, Telangana, India

Chanchala H. P.

4 Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, JSS Dental College, Mysore, Karnataka, India

Priyanka Talwade

Mohammed malik afroz.

5 Department of Oral Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Archana Pokala

Praveen kumar neela.

6 Department of Orthodontics, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Narketpally, Telangana, India

T K. Shyamilee

7 Department of Oral Pathology, Private Practice, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Vammi Srisha

8 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Private Practice, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

DNA is present in most of the cells in our body, which is unique in each and every individual, and we leave a trail of it everywhere we go. This has become an advantage for forensic investigators who use DNA to draw conclusion in identification of victim and accused in crime scenes. This review described the use of genetic markers in forensic investigation and their limitations.

Introduction

Forensic identification is a universal method used to establish the veracity in the process of forensic investigation. Both criminalities and medico-legal identification are integrative parts of forensic identification, having probative value. The value of an identification method resides in the specialist's ability to compare traces left at the crime scene with traces found on other materials such as reference evidence. Through this procedure, one can compare traces of blood, saliva, or any biological sample left at the crime scene with those found on a suspect's clothes and with samples from the victim. Medico-legal identification is based on scientific methods or intrinsic scientific methods absorbed from other sciences, usually bio-medical sciences. Scientific progress in the last 30 to 40 years has highlighted and continues to highlight the role of the specialists in identification. Their role proves its significance in cases that have to do with civil, family, and criminal law, as well as in cases of catastrophes with numerous victims (accidents, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and wars). Together with the discovery by Mullis in 1983 of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Sir Alec Jeffreys in the field of forensic genetics used this technique by studying a set of DNA fragments that proved to have unique characteristics, which were nonrecurring and intrinsic for each individual, the only exception being identical twins. Alec Jeffreys named these reaction products “genetic fingerprints.” 1 PCR procedure is correct as per the reference.

Brief History of Forensic Genetics

  • In 1900, Karl Landsteiner distinguished the main blood groups and observed that individuals could be placed into different groups based on their blood type. This was the first step in development of forensic hemogenetics. 2
  • 1915: Leone Lattes describes the use of ABO genotyping to resolve paternity case. 2
  • 1931: Absorption–inhibition of ABO genotyping technique had been developed. Following on from this, various blood group markers and soluble blood serum protein markers were characterized. 2
  • In the 1960s and 1970s: Developments in molecular biology, restriction of enzymes, Southern blotting, 3 and Sanger sequencing 4 enabled researchers to examine sequences of DNA.
  • 1978: Detection of DNA polymorphisms using Southern blotting. 5
  • 1980: First polymorphic locus was reported. 6
  • 1983: A critical development in the history of forensic genetics came with the advent of PCR process that can amplify specific regions of DNA, which was conceptualized by Kary Mullis, a chemist; later he was awarded Nobel Prize in 1993. 7
  • 1984: Alec Jeffrey introduced DNA fingerprinting in the field of forensic genetics, and proved that some regions in the DNA have repetitive sequences, which vary among individuals. Due to this discovery, first forensic case was solved using DNA analysis. 8

DNA Structure and Genome

DNA was first described by Watson and Crick in 1953, as double-stranded molecule that adopts a helical arrangement. Each individual's genome contains a large amount of DNA that is a potential target for DNA profiling.

DNA Structure

DNA is often described as the “blue print of life,” because it contains all the information that an organism requires in function and reproduction. The model of the double-helix structure of DNA was proposed by Watson and Crick. The DNA molecule is a polymer of nucleotides. Each nucleotide is composed of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose), and a phosphate group. There are four nitrogenous bases in DNA, two purines (adenine and guanine) and two pyrimidines (cytosine and thymine). Each base is attracted to its complimentary base: adenine base always pairs with thymine base whereas cytosine base always pairs with guanine base ( Fig. 1 ). 9

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Object name is 10-1055-s-0041-1728689-i2000032-1.jpg

Structure of DNA. Image courtesy: National Human Genome Research Institute.

Organization of DNA into Chromosomes

There are two complete copies of the genome in each nucleated human cell. Humans contain ∼3,200,000,000 base pairs (BPs) of information, organized in 23 pairs of chromosomes. There are 2 sets of chromosomes; 1 version of each chromosome is inherited from each parent with total of 46 chromosomes. 10 11 12

Classification of Human Genome 2

Based on the structure and function, Classification of Human Genome into following different types ( Fig. 2 ).

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Object name is 10-1055-s-0041-1728689-i2000032-2.jpg

Classification of human genome.

  • Coding and regulatory regions: The regions of DNA that encode and regulate protein synthesis are called genes. Approximately, a human genome contains 20,000 to 25,000 genes; 1.5% of the genome is involved in encoding for proteins.
  • Noncoding: Overall, 23.5% of the genome is classified under genetic sequence but does not involve in enclosing for proteins; they are mainly involved with the regulation of genes including enhancers, promoters, repressors, and polyadenylation signals.
  • Extragenic DNA: Approximately 75% of the genome is extragenic, of which 50% is composed of repetitive DNA and 45% of interspersed repeats. Four common types of interspersed repetitive elements are: (i) short interspersed elements, (ii) long interspersed elements, (iii) long terminal repeats, and (iv) DNA transposons. Tandem repeats consist of three different types: (i) satellite DNA, (ii) minisatellite DNA, and (iii) microsatellite DNA.

Genome and Forensic Genetics

DNA loci that are to be used for forensic genetics should have the following ideal properties:

  • Should be highly polymorphic.
  • Should be easy and cheap to characterize.
  • Should be simple to interpret and easy to compare between laboratories.
  • Should have a low mutation rate.

With recent advances in molecular biology techniques, it is possible to analyze any region with 3.2 billion BPs that make up the genome. 2

Biological Material

Three most important steps are collection, characterization, and storage.

Sources of Biological Evidence

Human body is composed of trillions of cells and most of them are nucleated cells, except for the red blood cells. Each nucleated cell contains two copies of individual's genome and can be used to generate a DNA profile. Usually, samples show some level of degradation but when the level of degradation is high, more cellular material is needed to produce a DNA profile. 13

Biological samples with nucleated cells are essential for forensic genetic profiling, such as: 14

  • Liquid blood or dry deposits.
  • Liquid saliva, semen, or dry deposits.
  • Hard tissues like bone and teeth.
  • Hair with follicles.

Collection and Handling of Material at the Crime Scenes

Whole blood is considered as one of the widely used source of DNA. It is preserved in an anticoagulant (ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid) and conserved at 4°C for 5 to 7 days initially. After this period, DNA samples are kept at –20°C for few weeks or at –80°C for longer periods of time. Epithelial cells collected from crime scenes are harvested with sterile brush or bud. After harvesting, they are wrapped in plastic envelope or paper envelope and kept in a dry environment at room temperature. 15 It is essential that proper care is taken, such as maintaining integrity of the crime scene, wearing face masks and full protective suits during the investigation of scene, 16 17 18 as inappropriate handling of the evidence can lead to serious consequences. In worst cases, cross-contamination leads to high level of sample degradation; this can confuse or avert the final result of evidence.

Characterization of DNA Analysis: Basic Steps 1

Analysis of DNA involves four basic steps, which are as follows ( Fig. 3 ):

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Object name is 10-1055-s-0041-1728689-i2000032-3.jpg

Extraction of DNA.

  • DNA extraction.
  • DNA quantification.
  • DNA amplification.
  • Detection of the DNA-amplified products.

DNA Extraction

The first DNA extraction was performed by Friedrich Miescher in 1869. Since then, scientists have made progress in designing various extraction methods that are easier, cost-effective, reliable, faster to perform, and producing a higher yield. With the advent of gene-editing and personalized medicine, there has been an increase in the demand for reliable and efficient DNA isolation methods that can yield adequate quantities of high-quality DNA with minimal impurities.

There are various methods of extraction as mentioned below, though commonly used are Chelex-100 method, silica-based DNA extraction, and phenol–chloroform method.

  • Chromatography-based DNA extraction method.
  • Ethidium bromide–cesium chloride (EtBr-CsCl) gradient centrifugation method.
  • Alkaline extraction method.
  • Silica matrices method.
  • Salting-out method.
  • Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) extraction method.
  • Phenol–chloroform method.
  • Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-proteinase K method.
  • Silica column-based DNA extraction method.
  • Magnetic beads method.
  • Cellulose-based paper method.
  • Chelex-100 extraction method.
  • Filter paper-based DNA extraction method.

Chromatography-Based DNA Extraction Method

Chromatography-based DNA extraction method is used to isolate DNA from any kind of biological material. 19 This method is divided into three different types:

  • Size-inclusion chromatography: In this method, molecules are separated according to their molecular sizes and shape.
  • Ion-exchange chromatography (IEC): In this method, solution containing DNA anion-exchange resin selectively binds to DNA with its positively charged diethylaminoethyl cellulose group. 20 This method is simple to perform when compared with other DNA extraction methods. 19
  • This procedure is used for isolation of messenger ribonucleic acid (m-RNA).
  • It is time-efficient.
  • It yields a very good quality of nucleic acids. 21

EtBr-CsCl Gradient Centrifugation Method

In 1957, Meselson et al developed this method. 22 DNA is mixed with CsCl solution, which is then ultra-centrifuged at high speed (10,000–12,000 rpm) for 10 hours, resulting in separation of DNA from remaining substances based on its density. EtBr is incorporated more into nonsupercoiled DNA than supercoiled DNA molecules resulting in accumulation of supercoiled DNA at lower density, and location of DNA is visualized under ultraviolet (UV) light.

  • This method is used to extract DNA from bacteria.

Limitations:

  • Greater amount of material source is needed.
  • Time-consuming.
  • Costly procedure due to long duration of high-speed ultra-centrifugation.
  • Complicated method. 23

Alkaline Extraction Method

First introduced by Birnboim and Doly in 1979, this method is used to extract plasmid DNA from cells. 24 Sample is suspended in NaOH solution and SDS detergent for lysis of cell membrane and protein denaturation. Potassium acetate is then added to neutralize the alkaline solution, which results in formation of precipitate. Plasmid DNA in the supernatant is recovered after centrifugation.

Limitation:

  • Contamination of plasmid DNA with fragmented chromosomal DNA. 25

Silica Matrices Method

The affinity between DNA and silicates was described by Vogelstein and Gillespie in 1979. 26

Principle: Selective binding of negatively charged DNA with silica surface is covered with positively charged ions. DNA tightly binds to silica matrix, and other cellular contaminants can be washed using distilled water or Tris-EDTA. 27

Advantages:

  • Fast to perform.
  • Cost-efficient.
  • Silica matrices cannot be reused.

Salting-Out Method

Introduced by Miller et al 55 in 1988, this method is a nontoxic DNA extraction method.

Procedure: Sample is added to 3 mL of lysis buffer, SDS, and proteinase K, and incubated at 55 to 65°C overnight. Next, 6 mL of saturated NaCl is added and centrifuged at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes. DNA containing supernatant is transferred into fresh tube and precipitated using ethanol. 28

  • This method is used to extract DNA from blood, tissue homogenate, or suspension culture.
  • High-quality DNA is obtained.
  • Reagents are nontoxic.28,29

Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) Extraction Method

This method was introduced by Doyle et al in 1990. 30

Samples are added to 2% CTAB at alkaline pH. In a solution of low ionic strength, buffer precipitates DNA and acidic polysaccharides from remaining cellular components. Solutions with high salt concentrations are then added to remove DNA from acidic polysaccharides; later, DNA is purified using organic solvents, alcohols, phenols, and chloroform. 20

  • Time-consuming method.
  • Toxic reagents like phenol and chloroform are used.

Phenol–Chloroform Method

This method was introduced by Barker et al in 1998. 31 Lysis containing SDS is added to cells to dissolve the cell membrane and nuclear envelope; phenol–chloroform–isoamyl alcohol reagent is added in the ratio 25:24:1. 28 Both SDS and phenol cause protein denaturation, while isoamyl alcohol prevents emulsification and hence facilitates DNA precipitation. The contents are then mixed to form biphasic emulsion that is later subjected to vortexing. This emulsion separates into two phases upon centrifugation, upper aqueous phase, composed of DNA, and the lower organic phase, composed of proteins. Upper aqueous phase is transferred to fresh tube and the lower organic phase is discarded. These steps are further repeated until the interface between the organic and aqueous phase is free from protein. 31 Later, sodium acetate solution and ethanol are added in 2:1 or 1:1 ratio, followed by centrifugation for separation of DNA from the solution. The pellet is washed with 70% ethanol to remove excess salt from the DNA and subjected to centrifugation for removal of ethanol. The pellet is dried and suspended in an aqueous buffer or sterile distilled water.

  • Used to extract DNA from blood, tissue homogenate, and suspension culture.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Gold standard method.
  • Toxic nature of phenol and chloroform. 28

SDS-Proteinase K Method

It was first introduced by Ebeling et al in 1974. 32 For extraction of DNA, 20 to 50 µL of 10 to 20 mg/mL proteinase K is added. SDS is added to dissolve the cell membrane, nuclear envelope, and also to denature proteins. The solution is incubated for 1 to 18 hours at 50 to 60°C and then DNA can be extracted using the salting-out method or phenol–chloroform method. 33

Silica Column-Based DNA Extraction Method

In this method, 1% SDS, lysis buffer (3 mL of 0.2 M tris and 0.05 M EDTA), and 100 mg of proteinase K are added to sample and incubated at 60°C for 1 hour, and this mixture is added in a tube containing silica gel. To this, phenol–chloroform is added in the ratio of 1:1 and centrifuged for 5 minutes. This separates the organic phase containing proteins beneath the silica column while aqueous phase containing DNA above the gel polymerase, and then aqueous layer is transferred to the tube and dissolved in TE buffer.

  • Increase in purity of extracted DNA.
  • Silica gel prevents physical contact with toxic reagents.
  • DNA yield is 40% higher than organic solvent-based DNA extraction method.34

Magnetic Beads Method

Trevor Hawkins filed a patent “DNA purification and isolation using magnetic particles” in 1998. 35

Magnetic nanoparticles are coated with DNA-binding antibody or polymer that has specific affinity to bind to its surface. 36 In this method, a magnetic field is created at the bottom of the tube using an external magnet that causes separation of DNA-bound magnetic beads from cell lysate. The supernatant formed is rinsed, and beads aggregated at the bottom can be eluted with ethanol precipitation method; and the magnetic pellet is incubated at 65°C to elute the magnetic particles from the DNA. 28

  • Time taken is less than 15 minutes.
  • Faster compared with other conventional methods.
  • Little equipment is required.
  • Less cost.19,37

Cellulose-Based Paper

It was first introduced by Whatman in 2000, who filed a patent titled “FTA-coated media for use as a molecular diagnostic tool.” Cellulose is a hydroxylated polymer with high binding affinity for DNA. Whatman FTA cards are commercially available as cellulose-based paper that is widely used for extraction of DNA. 38 They are impregnated with detergents, buffers, and chelating agents that facilitate DNA extraction. About 1 to 2 mm of sample area is removed with micro punch and further processed for downstream applications. 19 39

  • Extraction of DNA using cellulose-based paper is fast.
  • Highly convenient.
  • Does not require laboratory expertise.
  • Easy storage of sample.40

Chelex-100 Extraction Method

In 2011, Xlonghui et al 40 patented a DNA extraction method using Chelex-100. Chelex resin is used to chelate metal ions acting as cofactors for DNases. After incubating overnight, 5% Chelex solution and proteinase K are used to degrade the added DNases, which are later boiled in 5% Chelex solution to lyse the remaining cell membranes, and to denature both proteins and DNA. Also, 5% Chelex solution prevents DNA from being digested by DNases that remain after boiling, hence stabilizing the preparation. The resulting DNA can then be concentrated from the supernatant after centrifugation.

  • Reduced risk of contamination.
  • Use of single test tube.
  • Isolated DNA can be unstable. 38

Filter Paper-Based DNA Extraction Method

This method was described by Ruishi and Dilippanthe in 2017. DNA extraction method using filter paper can be used to isolate DNA from plant sources. A spin plate composed of 96-well plate is used, with a hole 1 mm in diameter drilled into bottom of each well used, and each well containing a disk of 8 mm diameter Whatman FTA filter paper. Samples subjected to lysis buffer are filtered with centrifugation.

  • Less cost. 41

DNA Quantification

After DNA extraction, an accurate measurement of the amount and quality of DNA extract is desirable. When the correct amount of DNA is added to PCR, it results in best quality within short duration of time. Adding less or more amount of DNA will results in a profile that is difficult or impossible to interpret. 40

Quantity of DNA that can be extracted from a sample depends on the type of model. Quantity of DNA in different biological samples is shown in Table 1 . 42

Classification of Quantification 43

DNA quantification can be classified as follows:

  • Microscopic and macroscopic examination.
  • Chemical and immunological methods.
  • ○ PicoGreen homogenous microtiter plate assays.
  • Intact vs degraded DNA–agarose gel electrophoresis.
  • Human total autosomal DNA.
  • Y chromosome DNA, mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA), Alu repeat real-time PCR.
  • Multiplex real-time PCR.
  • End-point PCR DNA quantification and alternative DNA detection methods.
  • RNA-based quantification.

Visualization on agarose gels

  • It is relatively easy and quick method for assessing both quality and quantity of extracted DNA.
  • Gives indication of size of extracted DNA molecules.

Disadvantages:

  • Quantification is subjective.
  • Total DNA obtained can be mixture of human DNA and microbial DNA and this can lead to overestimation of DNA concentration. 2

Ultraviolet Spectrometry

Spectrometry is commonly used for quantification of DNA in molecular biology but has not been widely adopted by the forensic community. Usually, DNA absorbs light maximally at 260 nm; this feature is used to estimate the amount of DNA extraction by measuring wavelengths ranging from 220 nm to 300 nm. With this method, it is possible to assess the amount of protein (maximum absorbance is 280 nm) and carbohydrate (maximum absorbance is 230 nm). If the DNA extract is clean, the ratio of absorbance should be between 1.8 and 2.0.

  • Difficult to quantify small amounts of DNA.
  • It is not human specific. 2

Fluorescence Spectrometry

EtBr or 4′,6 diamidino-2-phenylindole can be used to visualize DNA in agarose gels. In addition to staining agarose gels, fluorescent dyes can be used as an alternative to UV spectrometry for DNA quantification. PicoGreen dye is commonly used because it is specific for double-stranded DNA as it has the ability to detect little amount of DNA as 25 pg/mL.

Disadvantage:

  • Nonhuman specific. 44

DNA Amplification

There are eight DNA- and RNA-based techniques, but PCR and reverse transcription-PCR have been the predominant techniques.

PCR is the commonly used method of amplification of DNA. PCR amplifies specific regions of DNA template; even a single molecule can be amplified to 1 billion fold by 30 cycles of amplification. 45

DNA amplification occurs in cycling phase, which consists of three stages.

  • Denaturation.
  • Extraction.

Normal range of PCR cycle is between 28 and 32; when DNA is very low, then cycles can be increased to 34 cycles. 46

Other methods are as follows: 47

  • Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification method.
  • Strand displacement amplification.
  • Recombinase polymerase amplification.
  • Strand invasion-based amplification.
  • Multiple displacement amplification.
  • Hybridization chain reaction.

After the amplification of DNA, the final step is detection of the DNA-amplified products.

Detection of the DNA-Amplified Products

The following methods are used in forensic human identification:

  • Autosomal short-tandem repeat (STR) profiling
  • Analysis of the Y chromosome
  • Analysis of mt-DNA.
  • Autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing.

Autosomal STR Profiling

STRs were discovered in 1980. Since then, they are considered as gold standard in human identification in forensics. STR or microsatellites are the most frequently genotyped to distinguish between individuals. STR consists of mononucleotide, dinucleotide, trinucleotide, tetranucleotide, pentanucleotide, and hexanucleotide repeats of which tetranucleotide repeats are used for genotyping. 2

STR profiling is used in paternity/maternity testing, rape perpetrators' identification, kinship testing, and disaster victim identification. 48

STR-based DNA analysis in forensic has been well accepted by professionals and population as an important tool in criminal justice and in human identification.

  • The test is simple.
  • Can be done rapidly. 49

Analysis of the Y Chromosome

Typically, biologically a male individual has 1 Y chromosome and contains 55 genes. Because of this unique feature, analysis of Y chromosome is done in crime cases. 50

Application of Y chromosome in forensic medicine: It is present only in males. Thus, in crime cases, the investigators expect to find Y chromosome at the crime scene. Also, when talking about male–female ratio in body fluid mixtures, such as sexual assault or rapes, by analyzing the Y-STR component, the investigators can obtain more information regarding the male component. It is well known that azoospermic or vasectomized rapists do not leave semen traces, and it is impossible to find spermatozoa on the microscopic examination. In such cases, the Y-STR profiling is very useful, offering information regarding the identity of the accused person. 50

Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA)

mt-DNA is inherited from mother; thus all the members of a matrilineal family share the identical haplotype.

  • mt-DNA has 200 to 1,700 copies per cell.
  • Increased probability of survival when compared to nuclear DNA.

Applications:

  • Analysis of biologic samples that are severely degraded or old.
  • Samples with low amount of DNA (e.g., hair shafts). 51

Autosomal Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Typing

SNP has a lower heterozygosity when compared with STRs. Advantage of SNP typing over STR is that the DNA template size can be as large as 50 BPs, compared with STRs that need a size of 300 BPs to obtain good STR profiling. 52 Due to this reason, SNP has become an important tool in analyzing degraded samples. Thus in the 2001 World Trade Center disaster, victims were identified using SNP typing. 53 54

Impact of Genetic Identification in Justice 1

Genetic testing using DNA has been widely applicable to the field of justice. This method is being used for the following:

  • Identification of accused and confirmation of guilt.
  • Exculpation of innocent ones.
  • Identification of persons who commit crimes or serial killers.
  • Identification of victims in disasters.
  • Establishing consanguinity in complex cases.

Currently, the DNA genotyping of all types of microtraces or biological traces containing nucleated cells is possible if they are not entirely demolished, either chemically or by bacteria. The DNA analysis is an important tool in solving caseworks in forensic medicine, such as establishing the custody of a child through paternity or maternity tests, identifying victims from crimes or disasters, or exonerating innocent people convicted to prison.

Conflict of Interest None declared.

ScienceDaily

New simpler and cost-effective forensics test helps identify touch DNA

Television dramas can make criminal investigations look easy. In real life, DNA testing can be challenging and requires expensive equipment, special facilities and extensive training to identify DNA from a crime scene and determine which belongs to a potential suspect and which may have been transferred from someone who was never there. Research from the University of New Hampshire has found a less expensive and easier to use test to learn more about forensic touch DNA. This research has important implications for forensic investigations and being able to identify DNA from a primary contact -- someone who may have committed the crime -- as well as secondary DNA that was inadvertently and indirectly transferred through touch.

"So-called 'touch DNA' is a form of trace DNA that is deposited when a person touches something and leaves behind their skin cells, sweat or other fluids that contain their DNA," said Samantha McCrane, a lecturer in anthropology and co-director of UNH's Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery (FAIR) Lab. "While touch DNA is often the result of direct contact, which we call primary transfer, it can also be indirectly transferred between surfaces or individuals, leaving behind secondary or even tertiary DNA."

In their study, recently published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences , researchers developed an innovative test that uses a more accessible and affordable sequence method, known as qPCR. To test their protocol, they paired male and female volunteers and kept it simple, only looking at one marker to determine the sex of the DNA. In the trials, they first had a male participant hold a gun grip for 30 seconds before placing it down on a sterilized table. Then, a female picked up the same gun grip and held it for 30 seconds and followed that by grasping a coffee cup for 30 seconds. Afterward, the gun grip, coffee mug and female's hand were all swabbed for DNA.

The findings with the new method found male and female DNA on the gun grip in 71% of the trials indicating primary transfer since both participants directly touched the gun grip. Male DNA was found on the female's hand in 50% of the trials representing secondary transfer since the DNA was transferred indirectly from the gun grip. Male DNA on the coffee mug was recorded 27% of time indicating tertiary, or third level, transfer since the DNA was indirectly transferred from the gun grip to the female's hand and finally to the coffee mug.

"The challenge with transfer DNA is that it opens up the dangerous possibility of DNA ending up on items or victims at a crime scene that a person may not have touched," said McCrane. "This has occurred in multiple cases, leading to innocent individuals being charged for crimes they didn't commit."

The study also looked at the potential effects of age, ethnicity and skin conditions on DNA transfer. Ethnicity and age did not appear to affect touch DNA deposits and the small sample of those with sloughing skin conditions, like eczema, did not show any significant association with primary DNA transfer.

Researchers say even DNA experts cannot distinguish between different types of DNA transfer and this understudied field lacks enough data to fully understand which variables affect direct versus indirect DNA transfer and how often it happens. These new study results contribute to a better understanding of the conditions under which secondary and tertiary DNA transfer occurs and researchers are hopeful this new inexpensive protocol could lead to more research allowing for greater sample sizes and replication runs.

Co-author on the study was Connie Mulligan, professor of anthropology at the University of Florida.

  • Human Biology
  • Biochemistry Research
  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology and Bioengineering
  • Forensic Research
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Legal Issues
  • DNA microarray
  • Genetically modified organism

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of New Hampshire . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

  • Samantha M. McCrane, Connie J. Mulligan. An innovative transfer DNA experimental design and qPCR assay to identify primary, secondary, and tertiary DNA transfer . Journal of Forensic Sciences , 2023; 69 (2): 618 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15444

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  1. Journal of Forensic Sciences

    Journal Overview. The Journal of Forensic Sciences (JFS) is the official publication of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). It is devoted to the publication of original investigations, observations, scholarly inquiries and reviews in various branches of the forensic sciences. These include anthropology, criminalistics, digital and ...

  2. FSI

    An international journal dedicated to the applications of medicine and science in the administration of justice. Forensic Science International is the flagship journal in the prestigious Forensic Science International family, publishing the most innovative, cutting-edge, and influential …. View full aims & scope. $4190. Article publishing charge.

  3. Forensic Sciences Research

    Forensic Sciences Research is an Open Access international, peer-reviewed journal publishing high-quality, original research and is an official journal of the A ... Authors interested in publishing in Forensic Sciences Research may be able to publish their paper Open Access using funds available through their institution's agreement with OUP. ...

  4. 16762 PDFs

    A group to discuss the various aspects of forensic science | Explore the latest full-text research PDFs, articles, conference papers, preprints and more on FORENSIC SCIENCE. Find methods ...

  5. Unboxing the digital forensic investigation process

    The example is developed based on research papers describing the DF investigation process [8], [11], ... This paper presents the novel Digital Forensic Workflow Model (DFWM), which collates and builds upon past contributions in DF investigation process modelling. DFWM expands both the remit and depth by which the DF investigation process is ...

  6. Digital forensics research: The next 10 years

    Research is needed to develop and adopt new approaches to visualizing and presenting forensic targets. 4.5.3. Visual analyticsNext-generation forensic tools need to integrate interactive visualization with automated analysis techniques, which will present data in new ways and allow investigators to interactively guide the investigation. 4.5.4.

  7. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice

    The Journal of Forensic Psychology: Research and Practice promotes original research which examines the impact and effect of new knowledge in the field as it relates to the work of the practicing forensic psychologist and related specialists, mindful of where and how justice and social change are meaningfully advanced.

  8. Recent Advances in Forensic Anthropological Methods and Research

    A paper by Dias, Manco, Corte Real, and Cunha proposes a blood-bone-tooth model using DNA methylation to predict age in forensic contexts. This paper presents an interesting alternative for aging the dead and the living, and brings new insights into the development of multitissue age prediction models as applied to blood, bone, and teeth.

  9. Recent advances in forensic science research

    Recent advances in forensic science research. Forensic scientists collect and analyze evidence during a criminal investigation to identify victims, determine the cause of death and figure out "who done it.". Below are some recent papers published in ACS journals reporting on new advances that could help forensic scientists solve crimes.

  10. Statistical considerations in forensic science: a review

    The authors of this work have been working in forensic research since 1996 and have published several statistical research papers and book chapters, as well as collaborating with forensic scientists through several research projects from government organizations, such as the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, National Forensic Service, and the ...

  11. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice

    Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, Volume 24, Issue 2 (2024) See all volumes and issues. Volume 24, 2024 Vol 23, 2023 Vol 22, 2022 Vol 21, 2021 Vol 20, 2020 Vol 19, 2019 Vol 18, 2018 Vol 17, 2017 Vol 16, 2016 Vol 15, 2015 Vol 14, 2014 Vol 13, 2013 Vol 12, 2012 Vol 11, 2011 Vol 10, 2010 Vol 9, 2009 Vol 8, 2008 Vol 7, 2007-2008 ...

  12. Use of Advanced Artificial Intelligence in Forensic Medicine, Forensic

    The result of this paper is a detailed guide for forensic scientists to implement features of 3D CNN to forensic research and analyses of their own (in five themes described above). This resulting practical concept—possible workflow shall be useful for any forensic expert interested in implementing this advanced artificial intelligence feature.

  13. Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL

    This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in biological sciences from 2019 to 2022 as a part of the 20th INTERPOL International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. ... of microbiomes in the environment (e.g., soil or water samples), which could be classified under non-human DNA testing. Forensic microbiome research covers at ...

  14. Intelligence and the Value of Forensic Science

    Recent research has seen a rapid expansion in the reference to front-end forensics as an indication of the untapped value of forensic science. While some of these contributions have centered on development of forensic intelligence from a single area of investigation, others call for a more fundamental change in the relationship between crime laboratories and policing, particularly relating ...

  15. 1475 PDFs

    Explore the latest full-text research PDFs, articles, conference papers, preprints and more on FORENSIC BIOLOGY. Find methods information, sources, references or conduct a literature review on ...

  16. Forensic Science Research and Development

    NIJ FY24 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes. Grants.gov Deadline: April 11, 2024, 11:59 pm Eastern. Application JustGrants Deadline: April 18, 2024, 8:59 pm Eastern. NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories.

  17. (PDF) Mobile Forensics: an Overview, Tools, Future trends and

    Digital forensic corpora are essential for education, academic research, tool development and testing. Due to the increasing pervasiveness of mobile devices like smartphones or tablets, the need ...

  18. Forensics for multi-stage cyber incidents: Survey and future directions

    This paper presents a comprehensive survey of 49 works that aim to support cyber forensic investigations of modern multi-stage cyber incidents and highlights the need for decision support systems on the field. ... Digital Forensic Research Workshop, IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, and Forensic Science International ...

  19. An Overview of Forensic Accounting and Its Effectiveness in ...

    The main purpose of this study is to determine whether forensic accounting is an effective tool for preventing fraud. To conduct a comprehensive analysis, the research examines three aspects: the skills and attributes of a forensic accountant, the techniques used in forensic accounting, and the challenges and opportunities in the development of the forensic accounting profession.

  20. DNA fingerprinting in forensics: past, present, future

    The technological evolution of forensic DNA profiling. In the classical DNA fingerprinting method radio-labeled DNA probes containing minisatellite [] or oligonucleotide sequences [] are hybridized to DNA that has been digested with a restriction enzyme, separated by agarose electrophoresis and immobilized on a membrane by Southern blotting or - in the case of the oligonucleotide probes ...

  21. DFRWS EU 10-Year Review and Future Directions in Digital Forensic Research

    Conducting a systematic literature review and comprehensive analysis, this paper surveys all 135 peer-reviewed articles published at the Digital Forensics Research Conference Europe (DFRWS EU) spanning the decade since its inaugural running (2014-2023). This comprehensive study of DFRWS EU articles encompasses sub-disciplines such as digital forensic science, device forensics, techniques and ...

  22. A systematic review on forensic accounting and its contribution towards

    This paper finds that to detect fraud at an early stage, one must increase consumer understanding of basic forensic accounting techniques by implementing accurate supply chain monitoring systems and inventory management controls and conducting adequate and effective regulatory, honest and legitimate customs inspections.,The major factors that ...

  23. We're working out how to solve crimes in space

    For this study, published in Forensic Science International: Reports, we used a parabolic flight research plane that induces short periods of microgravity because of its up-and-down flight path ...

  24. DNA Profiling in Forensic Science: A Review

    This method was described by Ruishi and Dilippanthe in 2017. DNA extraction method using filter paper can be used to isolate DNA from plant sources. A spin plate composed of 96-well plate is used, with a hole 1 mm in diameter drilled into bottom of each well used, and each well containing a disk of 8 mm diameter Whatman FTA filter paper.

  25. A Systematic Literature Review on Forensic Accounting

    The objective of this study is to systematically analyze the existing literature on forensic accounting and thereby identifying the existing gap in the forensic accounting literature. In the era ...

  26. New simpler and cost-effective forensics test helps ...

    Research has found a less expensive and easier to use test to learn more about forensic touch DNA. This research has important implications for forensic investigations and being able to identify ...

  27. The development, status and future of forensics in India

    Abstract. The 20th century has been called the age of science in which there have been tremendous scientific and technological developments. Forensic science institutions in India also came into being at the beginning of the 20th century. The networking of these institutions continued till the end of the 20th century and intensified in the 21st ...

  28. FSIDIIN

    DFRWS EU 2024 - Selected Papers from the 11th Annual Digital Forensics Research Conference Europe Full Papers Receive an update when the latest issues in this journal are published