- Course Introduction
- 01: Evidence & DNA
- 02: Forensic Biology
- 03: DNA Extraction & Quantitation
- 04: DNA Amplification
- Overview
- Introduction
- Amplification
- Primer Design
- Primer Length
- Primer Melting Temperature
- Primer Annealing Temperature
- Values for Tm
- Maximum 3′ Stability
- GC Content Percentage
- No Secondary Structures
- No Self-complementarity
- No Complementarity To Other Primers
- No Long Runs With The Same Base
- Distance Between Two Primers On Target Sequence
- Plateau Effect
- Thermal Cyclers
- Thermal Cycling Parameter and Optimization
- Works Cited & Online Links
- Locus Selection
- Multiplexing
- Contamination
- Overview
- 05: Amplified DNA Product Separation
- 06: STR Data Analysis & Interpretation
- 07: Population Genetics & Statistics
- 08: Communicating Results
- 09: Other DNA Markers & Technologies
- Course Resources
- Laboratory Training Manual
President's DNA Initiative
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Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology
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Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology
DNA Analyst Training
Investigators and Laboratory Staff
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Contamination >
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Investigators and Laboratory Staff 
Investigators and laboratory staff can deposit their own DNA during collection, handling, and analysis of samples. One of the most common sample contamination events is the transfer of DNA from an individual who comes into contact with the evidence. The most probable means of depositing DNA from investigators and laboratory staff onto a sample is from sloughed skin cells and saliva spray. Individuals handling evidence should avoid talking or sneezing over evidence, and gloves should be worn so that sloughing of cells onto the evidence is prevented.
