NIJ Proposal to Enhance Methods for Studying Degraded DNA

This project addresses the major issue of DNA testing of compromised samples and will provide further insight about the behavior of degraded DNA. The activities to be performed include the determination of which treatment of bone can entirely remove surface contamination; the testing of different thermo-stable polymerases with respect to their ability to amplify DNA that has been co-extracted with PCR inhibitors; and an examination of the extent and nature of post mortem genetic damage found in compromised human remains. The results of the experiments will play a role in improving the success rate of forensic DNA testing of older criminal cases, cold cases, missing persons cases, mass fatality events, and war dead. ca/ncf