Science & Justice
Volume 47, Issue 4 , Pages 155-159, December 2007

Investigation into the usefulness of DNA profiling of earprints

Forensic Pathology Unit, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK

Accepted 25 September 2007. published online 29 October 2007.

Abstract 

DNA profiling of biological trace evidence has been used for many years. The application of this technique specifically to the DNA profiling of earprints has not to date been thoroughly investigated. This report presents the results of 60 earprints collected from three healthy adult volunteers under controlled laboratory conditions. DNA profile analysis revealed that high levels of non-donor alleles are observed when earprints are collected for DNA profiling. The source of these non-donor alleles is investigated and the impact that their presence within the profile may have on the use of this technique is discussed.

Keywords: Forensic science, Earprint, DNA profiling, Contamination, Low copy number

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PII: S1355-0306(07)00077-9

doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2007.09.006

Science & Justice
Volume 47, Issue 4 , Pages 155-159, December 2007

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