This document reports on a research project aimed primarily at the analysis digital penetration evidence, including the transfer, persistence and DNA source attribution of the trace biological material present in these samples. The overall goals of the project were to: 1) develop a full rapid digital penetration evidence processing workflow that would asses not only the ability to recover probative DNA profiles in digital penetration samples but to uniquely provide contextual information by means of mRNA body fluid identification (BFID) that provides support for determining the nature of circumstances of the digital assault and 2) utilize this workflow for the rapid processing of non-casework voluntary digital penetration samples to aid in determining the interval in which DNA profiles and BFID results can be obtained from these samples. This report describes the research performed to date and addresses the need for additional work with an expanded number of donor couples which is currently on-going. The results demonstrate that: 1) male DNA can be detected in female internal and external vaginal samples out to 24 hours post-digital penetration in some cases and 2) female DNA can be detected from underneath a male perpetrators fingernails also out to 24 hours post-digital penetration, although successful detection of vaginal secretions in these samples ins more variable past the 1 hour time frame. This preliminary work serves as the foundation for additional and future testing of digital penetration samples to refine the collection time intervals for this type of evidence. (Author abstract provided.)
Transfer, Persistence and DNA Source Attribution of Trace Biological Material in Digital Penetration Assault Cases
NCJ Number
310712
Date Published
September 2025
Length
28 pages
Abstract
Date Published: September 1, 2025