Development of a microwave-based extraction for forensic biological samples

Fabiana Taglia; Ling Wang; Casandra H Setser; Nicole Fernández-Tejero; Bruce R McCord; Steven B Lee

doi:10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100291

Development of a microwave-based extraction for forensic biological samples

Forensic Sci Int Synerg. 2022 Nov 29:5:100291. doi: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100291. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fabiana Taglia¹, Ling Wang¹, Casandra H Setser^{1

2}, Nicole Fernández-Tejero¹, Bruce R McCord¹, Steven B Lee^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
² Fort Worth Police Department Crime Laboratory, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
³ Department of Justice Studies, Forensic Science Program, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, 95192, USA.

Abstract

In this study, a quick microwave-based treatment was developed as a front end for DNA analysis of forensic samples. The effect of microwave treatment is to cause cell disruption which can improve the release of DNA during direct PCR as well as with extraction methods. Exposure to microwave preprocessing improved the quality of rapid genotyping, particularly when used with low level samples. Optimal results were obtained when samples were microwaved at 300W for 40 s, resulting in improved allele detection. Overall, the addition of this simple preprocessing step improves sensitivity and allele recovery for low level DNA samples when combined with expedited DNA analysis workflows. Its main advantages include speed, low cost, compatibility with downstream DNA methods and application to a wide variety of samples.

Keywords: Direct PCR; Forensic analysis; Microwave; Microwave extraction; Rapid DNA; Saliva.