The use of direct analysis in real time (DART) to assess the levels of inhibitors co-extracted with DNA and the associated impact in quantification and amplification

Forensic applications of DART-MS: A review of recent literature

The need for rapid chemical analyses and new analytical tools in forensic laboratories continues to grow due to case backlogs, difficult-to-analyze cases, and identification of previously unseen materials such as new psychoactive substances. To adapt to these needs, the forensics community has been pursuing the use of ambient ionization mass spectrometry, and more specifically direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS), for a wide range of applications. From the inception of DART-MS forensic applications have been researched with demonstrations ranging from drugs of abuse to inorganic gunshot residue to printer inks to insect identification. This article presents a review of research demonstrating the use of DART-MS for forensically relevant samples over the past five years. To provide more context, background on the technique, sampling approaches, and data analysis methods are presented along with a discussion on the potential future and research needs of the technology.

Interpol review of forensic biology and forensic DNA typing 2016-2019

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in biological sciences from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.

Determination of materials present in skeletonized human remains and the associated DNA: Development of a GC/MS protocol

DNA testing of skeletonized human remains is considered to be challenging, especially when the remains have been exposed to inhibitory materials during decomposition. Inhibitors affect the processing of DNA, either by preventing efficient extraction or interfering with down-stream PCR-based processes. Limited studies have been performed on real-world samples that have been exposed to such inhibitors. This paper presents the development of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) protocol for the evaluation of materials present in skeletonized human remains recovered from the field, as well as the DNA extracted from the same materials. Twenty-one bone samples and seventeen DNA extracts were evaluated across three solvents and multiple GC/MS parameters to determine the optimal conditions for the recovery of trace materials present. The aim of this work is to provide a technique that can determine the presence of inhibitors prior to DNA extraction, allowing analysts to optimize removal of inhibitory materials.