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Recipon M, Agniel R, Kunemann P, Ponche A, Carreiras F, Hermitte F, Leroy-Dudal J, Hubac S, Gallet O, Kellouche S. Detection of invisible biological traces in relation to the physicochemical properties of substrates surfaces in forensic casework. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13271. [PMID: 38858407 PMCID: PMC11164948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63911-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Touch DNA, which can be found at crime scenes, consists of invisible biological traces deposited through a person's skin's contact with an object or another person. Many factors influence touch DNA transfer, including the "destination" substrate's surface. The latter's physicochemical characteristics (wettability, roughness, surface energy, etc.) will impact touch DNA deposition and persistence on a substrate. We selected a representative panel of substrates from objects found at crime scenes (glass, polystyrene, tiles, raw wood, etc.) to investigate the impact of these characteristics on touch DNA deposition and detection. These were shown to impact cell deposition, morphology, retention, and subsequent touch DNA genetic analysis. Interestingly, cell-derived fragments found within keratinocyte cells and fingermarks using in vitro touch DNA models could be successfully detected whichever the substrates' physicochemistry by targeting cellular proteins and carbohydrates for two months, indoors and outdoors. However, swabbing and genetic analyses of such mock traces from different substrates produced informative profiles mainly for substrates with the highest surface free energy and therefore the most hydrophilic. The substrates' intrinsic characteristics need to be considered to better understand both the transfer and persistence of biological traces, as well as their detection and collection, which require an appropriate methodology and sampling device to get informative genetic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Recipon
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville Sur Oise, France.
- Institut de Recherche Criminelle de La Gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France.
| | - Rémy Agniel
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville Sur Oise, France
| | | | - Arnaud Ponche
- Institut de Science Des Matériaux de Mulhouse, Mulhouse, France
| | - Franck Carreiras
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville Sur Oise, France
| | - Francis Hermitte
- Institut de Recherche Criminelle de La Gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France
| | - Johanne Leroy-Dudal
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville Sur Oise, France
| | - Sylvain Hubac
- Institut de Recherche Criminelle de La Gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France
| | - Olivier Gallet
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville Sur Oise, France
| | - Sabrina Kellouche
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville Sur Oise, France.
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Madden I, Taylor D, Mitchell N, Goray M, Henry J. Predicting probative levels of touch DNA on tapelifts using Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2024; 70:103024. [PMID: 38335775 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Tapelifting is a common strategy to recover touch DNA deposits from porous exhibits in forensic DNA casework. However, it is known that only about 30 % of tapelifts submitted for DNA analysis in operational forensic laboratories yield profiles suitable for comparison or upload to a searchable database. A reliable means to identify and remove non-probative tapelifts from the workflow would reduce sample backlogs and provide significant cost savings. We investigated whether the amount of macroscopic or microscopic fluorescence on a tapelift following staining with Diamond Nucleic Acid Dye (DD), determined using a Polilight and Dino Lite microscope respectively, could predict the DNA yield and/or the DNA profiling outcome using controlled (saliva), semi-controlled (finger mark) and uncontrolled (clothing) samples. Both macroscopic and microscopic DD fluorescence could predict DNA yield and profiling outcome for all sample types, however the predictive power deteriorated as the samples became less controlled. For tapelifts of clothing, which are operationally relevant, Polilight fluorescence scores were significantly impacted by clothing fibres and other non-cellular debris and could not be used to identify non-probative samples. The presence of less than 500 cells on a clothing tapelift using microscopic counting of stained corneocytes was identified as a potential threshold for a non-probative DNA profiling outcome. A broader examination of the reliability of this threshold using a casework trial is recommended. Due to the labour intensiveness of microscopic cell counting, and the increased risk of inadvertent contamination, automation of this process using image software in conjunction with artificial neural networks (ANN) should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isla Madden
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Duncan Taylor
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia; Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Natasha Mitchell
- Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Mariya Goray
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Julianne Henry
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia; Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
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Banila C, Green D, Katsanos D, Viana J, Osmaston A, Menendez Vazquez A, Lynch M, Kaveh S. A noninvasive method for whole-genome skin methylome profiling. Br J Dermatol 2023; 189:750-759. [PMID: 37658851 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ageing, disease and malignant transformation of the skin are associated with changes in DNA methylation. So far, mostly invasive methodologies such as biopsies have been applied in collecting DNA methylation signatures. Tape stripping offers a noninvasive option for skin diagnostics. It enables the easy but robust capture of biologic material in large numbers of participants without the need for specialized medical personnel. OBJECTIVES To design and validate a methodology for noninvasive skin sample collection using tape stripping for subsequent DNA -methylation analysis. METHODS A total of 175 participants were recruited and provided tape-stripping samples from a sun-exposed area; 92 provided matched tape-stripping samples from a sun-protected area, and an additional 5 provided matched skin-shave biopsies from the same area. Using -enzymatic conversion and whole-genome Illumina sequencing, we generated genome-wide DNA methylation profiles that were used to evaluate the feasibility of noninvasive data acquisition, to compare with established sampling approaches and to investigate biomarker identification for age and ultraviolet (UV) exposure. RESULTS We found that tape-stripping samples showed strong concordance in their global DNA methylation landscapes to those of conventional invasive biopsies. Moreover, we showed sample reproducibility and consistent global methylation profiles in skin tape-stripping samples collected from different areas of the body. Using matched samples from sun-protected and sun-exposed areas of the body we were able to validate the capacity of our method to capture the effects of environmental changes and ageing in a cohort covering various ages, ethnicities and skin types. We found DNA methylation changes on the skin resulting from UV exposure and identified significant age-related hypermethylation of CpG islands, with a pronounced peak effect at 50-55 years of age, including methylation changes in well-described markers of ageing. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate the feasibility of using tape stripping combined with whole-genome sequencing as a noninvasive approach to measuring DNA methylation changes in the skin. In addition, they outline a viable experimental framework for the use of skin tape stripping, particularly when it is performed in large cohorts of patients to identify biomarkers of skin ageing, UV damage and, possibly, to track treatment response to therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Green
- Mitra Bio, Translation and Innovation Hub, London, UK
| | | | - Joana Viana
- Mitra Bio, Translation and Innovation Hub, London, UK
| | - Alice Osmaston
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Magnus Lynch
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Shakiba Kaveh
- Mitra Bio, Translation and Innovation Hub, London, UK
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Fantinato C, Fonneløp AE, Bleka Ø, Vigeland MD, Gill P. The invisible witness: air and dust as DNA evidence of human occupancy in indoor premises. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19059. [PMID: 37925517 PMCID: PMC10625553 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46151-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans constantly shed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into the surrounding environment. This DNA may either remain suspended in the air or it settles onto surfaces as indoor dust. In this study, we explored the potential use of human DNA recovered from air and dust to investigate crimes where there are no visible traces available-for example, from a recently vacated drugs factory where multiple workers had been present. Samples were collected from three indoor locations (offices, meeting rooms and laboratories) characterized by different occupancy types and cleaning regimes. The resultant DNA profiles were compared with the reference profiles of 55 occupants of the premises. Our findings showed that indoor dust samples are rich sources of DNA and provide an historical record of occupants within the specific locality of collection. Detectable levels of DNA were also observed in air and dust samples from ultra-clean forensic laboratories which can potentially contaminate casework samples. We provide a Bayesian statistical model to estimate the minimum number of dust samples needed to detect all inhabitants of a location. The results of this study suggest that air and dust could become novel sources of DNA evidence to identify current and past occupants of a crime scene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fantinato
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ane Elida Fonneløp
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øyvind Bleka
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Peter Gill
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Recipon M, Agniel R, Leroy-Dudal J, Fritz T, Carreiras F, Hermitte F, Hubac S, Gallet O, Kellouche S. Targeting cell-derived markers to improve the detection of invisible biological traces for the purpose of genetic-based criminal identification. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18105. [PMID: 37872292 PMCID: PMC10593828 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
At a crime scene, investigators are faced with a multitude of traces. Among them, biological traces are of primary interest for the rapid genetic-based identification of individuals. "Touch DNA" consists of invisible biological traces left by the simple contact of a person's skin with objects. To date, these traces remain undetectable with the current methods available in the field. This study proposes a proof-of-concept for the original detection of touch DNA by targeting cell-derived fragments in addition to DNA. More specifically, adhesive-structure proteins (laminin, keratin) as well as carbohydrate patterns (mannose, galactose) have been detected with keratinocyte cells derived from a skin and fingermark touch-DNA model over two months in outdoor conditions. Better still, this combinatory detection strategy is compatible with DNA profiling. This proof-of-concept work paves the way for the optimization of tools that can detect touch DNA, which remains a real challenge in helping investigators and the delivery of justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Recipon
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville sur Oise, France.
- Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France.
| | - Rémy Agniel
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Johanne Leroy-Dudal
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Thibaud Fritz
- Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France
| | - Franck Carreiras
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Francis Hermitte
- Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France
| | - Sylvain Hubac
- Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France
| | - Olivier Gallet
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Sabrina Kellouche
- Equipe de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules, ERRMECe, (EA1391), Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), Institut des Matériaux, I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, Neuville sur Oise, France
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Arsenault H, Nic Daeid N, Gray A. A synthetic fingerprint solution and its importance in DNA transfer, persistence and recovery studies. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2023; 6:100330. [PMID: 37249970 PMCID: PMC10209804 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2023.100330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A review of the literature on DNA transfer and persistence highlights many difficulties that are encountered when conducting research of this nature. One of the main problems highlighted repeatedly in the literature is the prevalence of inherent uncontrolled variation that accompany these studies, and in turn, the results obtained. This work aims to decrease the amount of intrinsic variability associated with DNA transfer and persistence experiments using a realistic proxy solution which is adaptable, of known composition, reproducible, and capable of being standardised. This proxy is composed of three parts: a synthetic fingerprint solution, cellular DNA, and cell free DNA. In this proof-of-concept study the proxy was tested with a small-scale DNA transfer and recovery experiment and the data obtained suggests that the use of a solution that mimics real fingerprint secretions, over an alternative (such as buffer or a body fluid), is important when working with non-donor provided trace DNA samples. This is because the DNA deposit solution likely impacts the transfer of DNA from fingers/hands to a surface as well as the ability to recover the biological material once deposited.
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van Oorschot RAH, Meakin GE, Kokshoorn B, Goray M, Szkuta B. DNA Transfer in Forensic Science: Recent Progress towards Meeting Challenges. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111766. [PMID: 34828372 PMCID: PMC8618004 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors that may impact the transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery of DNA (DNA-TPPR), and the availability of data to assign probabilities to DNA quantities and profile types being obtained given particular scenarios and circumstances, is paramount when performing, and giving guidance on, evaluations of DNA findings given activity level propositions (activity level evaluations). In late 2018 and early 2019, three major reviews were published on aspects of DNA-TPPR, with each advocating the need for further research and other actions to support the conduct of DNA-related activity level evaluations. Here, we look at how challenges are being met, primarily by providing a synopsis of DNA-TPPR-related articles published since the conduct of these reviews and briefly exploring some of the actions taken by industry stakeholders towards addressing identified gaps. Much has been carried out in recent years, and efforts continue, to meet the challenges to continually improve the capacity of forensic experts to provide the guidance sought by the judiciary with respect to the transfer of DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland A. H. van Oorschot
- Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Macleod, VIC 3085, Australia
- School of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Georgina E. Meakin
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia;
- Centre for the Forensic Sciences, Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, London WC1H 9EZ, UK
| | - Bas Kokshoorn
- Netherlands Forensic Institute, 2497 GB The Hague, The Netherlands;
- Faculty of Technology, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, 1097 DZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariya Goray
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia;
| | - Bianca Szkuta
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia;
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Cook R, Mitchell N, Henry J. Assessment of Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye for the identification and targeted sampling of latent DNA in operational casework. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 55:102579. [PMID: 34455366 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recovery and DNA profiling of latent touch DNA deposits is a ubiquitous practice by operational forensic laboratories that provides critical evidence in many criminal investigations. Despite recent improvements in the sensitivity of contemporary DNA profiling kits, the inability to localise and visually quantify touch DNA deposits on an exhibit means that ineffective or unwarranted sampling is often performed leading to poor success. Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye (DD) is a fluorescent DNA binding dye which has recently been shown to bind to corneocytes enabling visualisation and targeted sampling of touch DNA deposits under controlled conditions. The ability to translate these findings to operational casework, where a diverse range of substrates is encountered and the amount and distribution of touch DNA is uncontrolled, is currently unknown. Here, we provide the first report on the use of DD in an operational context. Spraying items with DD was shown to have no impact on downstream immunological testing, DNA extraction, or DNA profiling with the GlobalFiler™ PCR amplification kit. DD was shown to effectively locate areas of touch DNA on select exhibits using the Polilight. Issues with background fluorescence, non-specific staining, interference from fingerprint enhancement reagents, or absorbance of the excitation light by black surfaces demonstrated that DD is not compatible with all exhibits. Background fluorescence also prevented the use of DD to screen for the presence of cellular material on IsoHelix swabs post-sampling but it was suitable for screening Lovell DNA tapelifts. A casework trial of 49 plastic bag and tape exhibits showed limited application of DD to triage out negative items as DNA was recovered from items where DD fluorescence was not detected. Where DD fluorescence was detected, its broad distribution prevented targeted sampling and any correlation to be made between the amount observed and DNA yield or profiling outcome. The DD procedure also increased the time taken to search exhibits and risk of inadvertent contamination. Our study suggests that DD is not suited as a generalised screening technique across all touch casework exhibits but further investigation is warranted to determine its applicability to specific exhibit types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Cook
- Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Natasha Mitchell
- Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Julianne Henry
- Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
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