Assessment of individual shedder status and implication for secondary DNA transfer

Abstract

Low copy number DNA analysis offer the sensitivity to allow for analysis of minute amounts of DNA retrieved from touched objects. An experiment was designed to investigate secondary DNA transfer, and to assess the participants DNA shedder status. The aim was to investigate the implications of individual shedder status on secondary DNA transfer from handling items. We found that a persons shedder status – good, medium or poor – is of consequence in order to deposit enough DNA for a full profile. Furthermore, the vector was not always the one with the most dominant profile on an item, implying that secondary transfer could occur from a better shedder donor through handshaking or by handling the same item.