Assessment of DNA transfer Involving Routine Human Behavior

DNA transfer events are affected by routine human actions and can impact the interpretation of forensic evidence results. Some scientists have inferred that secondary transfer events lead to only minimal amount of DNA yield and when two people are involved, the DNA profile of the primary person who had contact with the item is typically prominent. To assess the effects of secondary DNA transfer events on DNA quantity, methods similar to those of Lowe et al. [1] were used. We have recruited 12 volunteers (subjects) to participate in a 4-part study consisting of every day human routine behaviors. These routine behaviors include handshaking, holding a pen in the mouth, and licking the thumb before turning the page. Sufficient quantities of DNA were obtained via secondary and tertiary transfer. DNA profiles could be observed from an individual to an object even though that individual did not directly touch the object.