The
Nobel Prize winning inventor of PCR, Kary Mullis, said that he does not think
that genotyping should be used for forensics, except as one piece of the
puzzle.
The
reliability and acceptability of DNA test result rests on the accuracy of the
samples of DNA that are collected for analysis. Poor collection procedures,
improper storage of samples and mishandling of samples/false results are the
leading causes for errors in DNA testing. The credentials of
scientist/accreditation of laboratory must be carefully scrutinized before the
legal use of DNA report by law enforcement agency.
- Samples
may be rejected in the lab because the swab is contaminated in such a
fashion that makes it impossible to obtain usable DNA samples from it.
Sample may be contaminated if it is dropped on the floor or counter, or
used accidentally by people who are not trained or even semi trained
individuals who are unaware of the intricacies of DNA science. Such
samples should be disposed of and a fresh swab should be used.
- The
swab collection method is an important part of proper tracking and
identification of the sample. This is not a failure of the swab, but of
the people who handle the swab. It must be correctly identified and
tracked through the system to make sure that it is not confused with other
samples that may be in the lab. All swabs come with a bar–coded container
that they are placed in.
- Embedding
a tiny RFID chip in the swab itself may further help to track and identify
the swab.
No comments:
Post a Comment