RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Assessment of the stability of DNA in specimens collected under conditions for drug testing—A pilot study
White, R. M., Mitchell, J. M., Hart, E. D., Evans, A., Meaders, M., Norsworthy, S. E., Hayes, E. D., Flegel, R., Maha, G. C., Shaffer, M. D., Hall, E. M., & Rogers, K. (2018). Assessment of the stability of DNA in specimens collected under conditions for drug testing—A pilot study. Forensic Science International, 283, 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.11.011
For forensic biological sample collections, the specimen donor is linked solidly to his or her specimen through a chain of custody (CoC) sometimes referenced as a chain of evidence. Rarely, a donor may deny that a urine or oral fluid (OF) specimen is his or her specimen even with a patent CoC. The goal of this pilot study was to determine the potential effects of short-term storage on the quality and quantity of DNA in both types of specimen under conditions that may be encountered with employment-related drug testing specimens. Fresh urine and freshly collected oral fluid all produced complete STR profiles. For the "pad" type OF collectors, acceptable DNA was extractable both from the buffer/preservative and the pad. Although fresh urine and OF produced complete STR profiles, partial profiles were obtained after storage for most samples. An exception was the DNA in the Quantisal OF collector, from which a complete profile was obtained for both freshly collected OF and stored OF. (c) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.