Publication Date
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Scott Baird (Committee Member), Dan Krane (Committee Chair), Jeffery Peters (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Criminals have been documented to launder clothing in an attempt to hide evidence; however, there limited studies on this type of evidence manipulation. This study looked at: 1) the effects of eighteen laundry additives at diluted and undiluted strengths on human blood, 2) the effects of a delay between deposit and laundering, 3) the amount of recoverable DNA on laundered clothing with different deposited volumes of blood, and 4) the transfer of genetic material within a primary load and between primary/secondary and primary/tertiary loads. There was a reduction in volume of DNA for some laundry additives. Nevertheless, all genotyped samples were consistent with expected profiles. The results show that DNA can be transferred between a primary and a secondary load but not to a tertiary with the best locations for genetic transfer recovery being towels and socks. This study helps further the understanding and treatment of DNA on laundered clothing
Page Count
151
Department or Program
Department of Biological Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2016
Copyright
Copyright 2016, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
