Development of an Automated Holographic Optical Trapping Method for Rape Kit Analysis

The goal of this research is to develop a prototype system for the automated isolation of sperm cells from epithelial cells in sexual assault forensic samples using the Holographic Optical Trapping (HOT) technique. This system promises significant advantages over standard techniques such as differential extraction, offering improved speed, efficiency, automation, genetic purity, and reliability. Importantly, it will potentially reduce or eliminate female DNA carryover which can occur with current methods.

ca/ncf