Honors Projects

Abstract

To obtain a DNA profile from a crime scene sample, the DNA must undergo amplification through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR process can be inhibited by factors that increase DNase I activity or by factors that interfere with Taq polymerase binding to the DNA. This study compares inhibition to the PCR process caused by dog DNA with inhibition caused by humic acid. The GlobalFiler PCR Amplification Kit was tested using mixtures of dog DNA and human control DNA and mixtures of humic acid and human control DNA. The profiles obtained from these mixtures were then analyzed for instances of allelic dropout which is indicative of inhibition. Results of the comparison found that dog DNA did not cause inhibition and does not interfere with a human DNA profile obtained from a dog-human mixture, while humic acid did cause inhibition as expected based on previous validation studies.

Department

Biological Sciences

Major

Forensic Biology

First Advisor

Julia Halo

First Advisor Department

Biological Sciences

Second Advisor

Crystal Oechsle

Second Advisor Department

Biological Sciences

Third Advisor

Travis Worst

Third Advisor Department

Chemistry

Publication Date

4-24-2023

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