Up in the air: Presence and collection of DNA from air and air conditioner units

Mariya Goray, Duncan Taylor, Emily Bibbo, Dhruvi Patel, Chiara Fantinato, Ane Elida Fonneløp, Peter Gill, Roland A.H. van Oorschot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
67 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Biological material is routinely collected at crime scenes and from exhibits and is a key type of evidence during criminal investigations. Touch or trace DNA samples from surfaces and objects deemed to have been contacted are frequently collected. However, a person of interest may not leave any traces on contacted surfaces, for example, if wearing gloves. A novel means of sampling human DNA from air offers additional avenues for DNA collection. In the present study, we report on the results of a pilot study into the prevalence and persistence of human DNA in the air. The first aspect of the pilot study investigates air conditioner units that circulate air around a room, by sampling units located in four offices and four houses at different time frames post-cleaning. The second aspect investigates the ability to collect human DNA from the air in rooms, with and without people, for different periods of time and with different types of collection filters. Results of this pilot study show that human DNA can be collected on air conditioner unit surfaces and from the air, with air samples representing the more recent occupation while air conditioner units showing historic use of the room.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)933-947
Number of pages15
JournalElectrophoresis
Volume45
Issue number9-10
Early online date28 Feb 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2024

Keywords

  • air sampling
  • eDNA
  • forensic science
  • human DNA profiling

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