Gaskell Michelle, Guiness June, Sullivan Kevin
Forensic Capability Network, Dorset Police, Dorset, UK.
University of Central Lancashire, UK.
Forensic Sci Int Synerg. 2024 Oct 8;9:100559. doi: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100559. eCollection 2024.
This study assessed the fitness for purpose of consumables used for the recovery of body-fluids and biological material for subsequent DNA analysis in forensic medical examinations, specifically within Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). All 55 SARCs in England and Wales participated in this validation exercise by submitting unused critical DNA consumables from their local storage areas. Overall, 261 consumable items identified as forensic DNA grade were assessed for the presence of DNA contamination and 100 % passed testing, demonstrating that consumables purchased under the National Scenes of Crimes Consumables Contract remained fit for purpose, regarding detectable levels of DNA, up to the point of use within the SARCs. In addition, 14 non-forensic DNA grade items were analysed, of which over a third failed due to unsourced DNA contamination, highlighting why it is essential that only forensic DNA grade consumables are used for evidential recovery processes to minimise the risk of contamination.
本研究评估了用于在法医学检查中，特别是在性侵犯转介中心（SARC）内采集体液和生物材料以供后续DNA分析的消耗品是否符合使用目的。英格兰和威尔士的所有55个SARC都参与了此次验证工作，它们从当地储存区域提交了未使用过的关键DNA消耗品。总体而言，对261件被认定为法医DNA级别的消耗品进行了DNA污染检测评估，所有消耗品100%通过测试，这表明根据《国家犯罪现场消耗品合同》购买的消耗品，就可检测到的DNA水平而言，在SARC内使用前仍符合使用目的。此外，对14件非法医DNA级别的物品进行了分析，其中超过三分之一因来源不明的DNA污染而不合格，这凸显了为何在证据采集过程中必须仅使用法医DNA级别的消耗品，以将污染风险降至最低。
