The effects of specific latent fingerprint and questioned document examinations on the amplification and typing of the HLA DQ alpha gene region in forensic casework.
The apparent stability of DNA in forensic samples has permitted the successful application of several techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) analysis to forensic cases. PCR-based typing of the HLA-DQ alpha region in forensic casework has been shown to be a valid and reliable technique. This inherent stability of DNA in forensic evidence has led us to address the question of whether DNA could successfully withstand certain evidence processes such as latent fingerprint and electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA) processing and still yield a sufficient quantity and quality of DNA for PCR HLA DQ alpha typing. Through testing done with biological material on simulated and casework envelope, stamp, and cigarette butt type evidence, it was determined that samples could be processed for specific latent fingerprint and ESDA examinations and still yield sufficient DNA for conclusive HLA DQ alpha typing results.