Collection, preservation and transportation o...

Collection, preservation and transportation of biological evidence for forensic DNA analysis

Author Name : Harendra Nath Singh

ABSTRACT

The application of DNA technology has made a revolution in the field of forensic science. DNA analysis is applied in both criminal and civil cases. The scope of a complete DNA profile consists of three main functions: First, collection and preservation. Second storage and transportation, and third, DNA profiles generate and their interpretation. Many time, due to lack of scientific knowledge of the investigator regarding the proper collection, preservation, storage and transportation of the biological evidence, failure to obtain appropriate DNA analysis results and diminish its value before the court of law. Many factors contribute to the generation of a good DNA profile from a biological sample i.e rate and extent of degradation, purity and amount of DNA in the sample, etc. “No biological evidence is resistant to degradation”. Thus, careful collection and storage of biological samples can provide useful information in DNA analysis. Suitable pieces of evidence for DNA analysis are limited. Hence, proper precaution for collection, preservation, storage, and transportation of biological samples for DNA analysis is required. The major focus of this review is to propose practical approaches and guidelines to help medical, forensic, and law enforcement professionals to deal with biological evidence for DNA analysis to avoiding contamination, degradation, and loss of the value of biological evidence.

Key words: DNA profile, biological evidence, chain of custody, collection and preservation, storage and transportation.