Investigations on the use of SampleMatrix to Collect and Stabilize Crime Scene Biological for Optimized Analysis and Room Temperature Storage

The objective of this project is to examine the use of SampleMatrix' to optimize the stabilization of biological samples collected at crime scenes prior to serological and DNA analysis. Developed by Biomatrica, Inc., SampleMatrix' is a proprietary platform technology for the dry storage of biological materials at ambient temperatures. Cal State will concentrate on the stabilization of trace quantities of nuclear DNA, as would be derived from touch samples, and environmentally challenged samples recovered from crime scenes with swabs. The investigators will also examine the use of SampleMatrix' to optimize the structural stability of cells, proteins, and other forensic markers used for the identification of biological samples collected at crime scenes. This work will result in the development a field kit for the immediate treatment of crime scene samples.

ca/ncf