Validation of PRESERVEi™ SwabSqueezer™ Indicating MicroCard for Reliable, Rapid Genotyping of Saliva Reference Samples
Open Access
- Author:
- Parchuke, Emily Rose
- Area of Honors:
- Forensic Science
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Reena Roy, Thesis Supervisor
Reena Roy, Thesis Honors Advisor
Ralph R Ristenbatt, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- Forensic science
reference samples
DNA
direct amplification
PCR
genetic analysis - Abstract:
- The purpose of this experiment was to validate the PRESERVEi™ SwabSqueezer™ Indicating MicroCard* as a new, reliable preservation method for buccal swab collection. This device changes color upon deposition of the saliva on the PRESERVEi™ paper. Saliva was collected from nine (9) donors, and each foam swab was pressed firmly on the indicating card. Following saliva transfer from the swab to the indicating card and after drying for at least 24 hours, areas were classified as white or pink based on their appearance on the storage card. Using a 1.2 mm Whatman™ Harris Micro Punch, various areas of the storage cards were punched for analysis. The areas for punching were selected based upon the color of the PRESERVEi™ paper and location on the card. Short tandem repeat (STR) DNA profiles were obtained by direct amplification of the punched saliva stains using a direct autosomal amplification kit, capillary electrophoresis, and software analysis. The goal was to determine if there were significant differences in the quality of the profiles generated. This research indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of success in obtaining complete profiles generated from white, pink, or center punches of the PRESERVEi™ SwabSqueezer™ cards. When detectable quantities of DNA were obtained from the punches analyzed, the extracted DNA yielded complete profiles. It was concluded that in most instances it was possible to obtain complete autosomal profiles from the saliva stains whether the 1.2 mm punches were obtained from the pink or the white areas or from any location of the card. *Patent Pending