National Institute of Justice Continuation Awards

This award is a supplement #1 to grant # 2002-IJ-CX-K001 and aims to (1) complete the determination of the types of DNA damage encountered in forensically relevant stains by a quantitative real time PCR assay, and then attempt to repair such damage by means of in vitro DNA repair systems (2) continue to detect and repair damage caused by exogenous, environmental sources such as UV radiation, heat, and humidity on forensically relevant stains and (3) aid in ascertaining the types and effects of damage encountered in stains stored under various laboratory conditions, and contribute to the debate concerning the optimal storage conditions for biological stains in operational forensic laboratories.