The ability to develop an STR DNA profile on items with very little DNA deposited on them, such as touched objects like a doorknob or drinking glass, is expected to aid in solving property crimes during which perpetrators have hot-wired a vehicle or stolen other property while bare-handed.

One methods used on these types of samples is called "low copy number" (LCN) DNA analysis. In contrast to traditional methods, LCN uses a higher number of PCR cycles or post-PCR techniques to amplify the signal of the evidentiary DNA.

LCN protocols are not admitted in all jurisdictions due to limitations with the results such as increased instances of allelic drop-in, allelic drop-out and contamination.

Back Forward