- Course Introduction
- 01: Evidence & DNA
- 02: Forensic Biology
- 03: DNA Extraction & Quantitation
- 04: DNA Amplification
- 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
Microbial DNA
Home > Other DNA Markers & Technologies > Other Nuclear DNA Markers and Technologies > Non-Human DNA > Microbial DNA
Recent terrorist attacks have raised awareness of the possible use of pathogens and toxins as bioweapons to commit bioterrorism and biocrime. Microorganisms and toxins have already been used in criminal offenses, such as the Anthrax attacks of 2001.65 The field of microbial forensics has emerged in order to facilitate the identification of the infectious agent(s) used in a criminal offense, to determine the origin of such a sample and to establish links to the perpetrators. While current DNA profiling strategies including direct DNA sequencing and the analysis of appropriate microsatellites, minisatellites and SNPs can be used to identify microorganisms. The biology of microorganisms results in additional challenges for the forensic community. Microbial source attribution is often difficult due to the clonal nature of some microorganisms, and their rapid rate of evolution (i.e. mutation).08 The former could result in false associations between the evidence and the putative source, while the latter could result in false exclusions.
Although standard crime scene investigative processes involving the recording, collection and preservation of evidence pertain to biocrime scene analysis, additional safety considerations apply due to the varying infectious nature of the evidence.08, 09, 66 Accordingly only personnel specifically trained to deal with the agents likely to be used in biocrime should process such scenes. Case working crime laboratories are not equipped to handle infectious agents many of which require the use of Biohazard level 3 or 4 laboratories. QA and QC guidelines for the collection and analysis microbial DNA samples, akin to those established for human DNA profiling, have been recommended.08, 66, 67
Click here to read the recommendations for microbial DNA from the FBI.
