Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Forensic and Investigative Science

Committee Chair

Keith B Morris

Abstract

This study examined the recovery of DNA profiles from fingerprints on paper. This examination occurred in three phases: initial determination of DNA profiles on paper, recovery of DNA profiles given certain time periods, and recovery of DNA profiles after the application of the chemical enhancement techniques of ninhydrin or DFO given certain time periods. Phase II and Phase III paper sheets were exposed to the environment to simulate a house setting. All samples from the phases were extracted with phenol-chloroform. Samples from Phase I and Phase II were amplified with AMPF/STRRTM IdentifilerRTM amplification kit while samples from Phase III were amplified with Promega Power Plex RTM 16 amplification kit. Phase I samples contained, on average, the most amount of DNA with 21.05pg/microL. Phase III samples contained, on average, the lowest amount of DNA with .56pg/microL. It was found that no profiles were recovered from the samples after analysis. It is not recommended to perform DNA analysis after the application of ninhydrin and DFO on paper unless all other options have been exhausted.

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