Toward Analysis at the Point of Need: A Digital Microfluidic Approach to Processing Multi-Source Sexual Assault Samples.

ABSTRACT: Forensic case samples collected in sexual assaults typically contain DNA from multiple sources, which complicates short-tandem repeat (STR) profiling. These samples are typically sent to a laboratory to separate the DNA from sperm and non-sperm sources prior to analysis. Here, the automation and miniaturization of these steps using digital microfluidics (DMF) is reported, which may eventually enable processing sexual assault samples outside of the laboratory, at the point of need. When applied to vaginal swab samples collected up to 12 h post-coitus (PC), the new method identifies single-source (male) STR profiles. When applied to samples collected 24-72 h PC, the method identifies mixed STR profiles, suggesting room for improvement and/or potential for data deconvolution. In sum, an autom

SUBMITTER: Elsayed M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11538644 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature