Stability and Persistence of Touch DNA for Forensic Analysis

The webinar will review existing scientific literature, describe lessons-learned and best practices for conducting experiments with touch DNA, and describe the initial results of a study designed to evaluate the stability of touch DNA under different environmental conditions. Five controlled environmental conditions were established with highly controlled temperature, relative humidity, and ultraviolet light levels. A formal randomization scheme was implemented to minimize sources of potential variability. The stability of both control DNA and touch DNA samples collected from donors was evaluated. 

3 Detailed Learning Objectives

• Understand the significance and challenges of working with touch DNA evidence
• Learn best-practices for design of experiments involving touch DNA
• Learn the impact of environmental conditions on the stability of touch DNA.

Presenters: 

• Dr. Natalie Damaso, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory
• Dr. Meghan Ramsey, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory