Effects of storage time on DNA profiling success from archived latent fingerprint samples using an optimised workflow

Abstract

Due to recent improvements in forensic DNA testing kit sensitivity, there has been an increased demand in the criminal justice community to revisit past convictions or cold cases. Some of these cases have little biological evidence other than touch DNA in the form of archived latent fingerprint lift cards. In this study, a previously developed optimised workflow for this sample type was tested on aged fingerprints to determine if improved short tandem repeat (STR) profiles could be obtained. Two-year-old samples processed with the optimised workflow produced an average of approximately five more STR alleles per profile over the traditional method. The optimised workflow also produced detectable alleles in samples aged out to 28 years. Of the methods tested, the optimised workflow resulted in the most informative profiles from evidence samples more representative of the forensic need. This workflow is recommended for use with archived latent fingerprint samples, regardless of the archival time. Key points The use of the optimised workflow on aged archived latent fingerprint (ALFP) lift card samples (aged 2–28 years) improves the number of STR alleles recovered, providing more discriminatory STR profiles than those processed using the traditional workflow. Interpretable STR alleles can be detected from ALFP lift card samples stored as long as 28 years when the optimised procedures are followed. The use of individual laboratory-sterilised tools for sample preparation and the addition of a re-purification step with Centri-Sep columns in the recommended optimised workflow seem to limit the ability to detect low-level secondary DNA sources.