Archival Notice
This is an archive page that is no longer being updated. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function as originally intended.
Home | Glossary | Resources | Help | Contact Us | Course Map
Reference samples should be collected from individuals who might be linked to the crime scene where DNA evidence is found. Reference samples can be used for elimination or comparative analysis. For example, buccal swab samples taken from the suspect and/or victim, a known source, should be compared to biological evidence found at the crime scene to eliminate or place them at the scene.
Procedures for Reference Sample Collection |
|
Type of Collection |
Procedure |
Buccal Swab |
Sterile swabs or other buccal collection devices are rubbed against the inside cheek of the individual's mouth to collect epithelial cells for analysis. |
Liquid Blood Samples |
Generally collected in purple topped vacuum tubes that contain the preservative ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). |
Additional Online Courses
- What Every First Responding Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence
- Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes
- DNA – A Prosecutor’s Practice Notebook
- Crime Scene and DNA Basics
- Laboratory Safety Programs
- DNA Amplification
- Population Genetics and Statistics
- Non-STR DNA Markers: SNPs, Y-STRs, LCN and mtDNA
- Firearms Examiner Training
- Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decisionmakers
- What Every Investigator and Evidence Technician Should Know About DNA Evidence
- Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court
- Law 101: Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert
- Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues
- DNA Extraction and Quantitation
- STR Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony
- Español for Law Enforcement
- Amplified DNA Product Separation for Forensic Analysts