By Girish Linganna
Apr 8: Recent research from Flinders University in Australia points to the possibility of forensic scientists being able to gather DNA evidence from the air. This innovative approach could complement traditional methods that involve examining surfaces, soil, and water at crime scenes. The concept is based on capturing minute traces of human DNA suspended in the environment, which could open up new avenues for criminal investigations.
Emily Bibbo, a Ph.D. student at Flinders University, has introduced an innovative DNA collection technique, as reported by Newsweek.com. Her co-authored research demonstrates the feasibility of detecting human DNA present in the air, which can be emitted through actions like speaking or breathing that release saliva droplets, or from skin cells that disperse into the air from surfaces.
This technique can reliably detect if someone was in a room, offering a helpful forensic method in situations where usual ways of collecting evidence are avoided, like when people wear gloves or clean up areas.
A team from Flinders University, headed by forensic science professor Mariya Goray, explored in research featured in Electrophoresis how air conditioners and filters might collect air samples at crime scenes. This could help figure out who regularly spends time in a space and identify any guests.
Goray mentioned in a statement that it's highly improbable for a typical criminal, even one who knows about forensic methods, to completely stop their DNA from getting into the surroundings.
The study, which was on a smaller scale, looked at samples gathered from four offices and four homes at various times after they had been cleaned. It also examined how well regular air filters could capture DNA information from the air around them.
The study showed that it's possible to pick up human DNA from both air conditioner surfaces and the air itself. The DNA found in the air usually reflects who has recently been in the room, while the DNA on air conditioners can provide clues about people who were there earlier.
The researchers suggest further research to improve the methods for gathering and analyzing DNA from these areas, as well as figuring out the best placement for air conditioners in a room. Despite being an early study, it highlights the promising role that air conditioning units and filters could play in helping solve crimes.
Blueprint of Life: Decoding the Secrets in Our Cells
Human DNA is like a unique recipe book that lives inside almost every cell of our bodies. Just as a recipe book contains instructions to make different dishes, DNA contains instructions that tell our bodies how to grow, develop, and work. This "book" is made up of long strings of a code with just four "letters": A, T, C, and G. The order of these letters is incredibly important because it determines everything about us, from how tall we will be to the color of our eyes. Everyone's DNA is mostly the same, but the small differences in the order of those letters make each person unique, much like how changing a single ingredient can change the flavor of a dish. This is why DNA is used in things like paternity tests or solving crimes, as it's a unique identifier for each individual.