Simulated radioactive decontamination of biological samples using a portable DNA extraction instrument for rapid DNA profiling. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frégeau, Chantal J.; Dalpé, Claude
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 259(2016)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Decontamination -- Radiological event -- Rapid DNA process -- Forensic mobile laboratory -- Victim identification; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.12.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Removal of >99.996% of Co, Cs and Sr contaminants using the Maxwell ® 16 System. Residual dose rates corresponding to 60 Co, 137 Cs, 90 Sr below the regulatory limits. DNA yields similar to uncontaminated controls. AmpF l STR ® Identifiler ® profiles derived in 26 min comparable to controls. Contaminated samples processed safely in a forensic mobile laboratory. Abstract: A portable DNA extraction instrument was evaluated for its ability to decontaminate blood and saliva samples deposited on different surfaces (metal, plastic and glass) contaminated with stable isotopes of cobalt (Co), cesium (Cs), and strontium (Sr) as equivalents to their radiogenic 60 Co, 137 Cs, and 90 Sr isotopes, respectively, that could be released during a nuclear weapon accident or a radiological dispersal device (RDD) detonation. Despite the very high contamination levels tested in this study, successful removal of greater than 99.996% of the Co, Cs, Sr contaminants was achieved based on inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) and neutron activation analyses carried out on all liquids (including DNA eluates) and solid waste produced during automated DNA extraction. The remaining amounts of Co, Cs and Sr in the DNA eluates, when converted to dose rates (corresponding to 60 Co, 137 Cs and 90 Sr), were determined to be below the recommended dose limits for the general public in most of the scenarios tested. The presence of Co, Cs and Sr contaminants in the cell lysates had no adverse impact on the binding of DNA onto the magnetic DNA IQ™ beads. DNA yields were similar to uncontaminated controls. The remaining Co, Cs and Sr in the DNA eluates did not interfere with real-time PCR DNA quantification. In addition, the quality of the AmpF l STR ® Identifiler ® profiles derived in 26 min using an accelerated protocol was very good and comparable to controls. This study emphasizes the use of an accelerated process involving a portable DNA extraction instrument to significantly reduce radioactive dose rates to allow contaminated samples to be processed safely in a forensic mobile laboratory to expedite the identification of individuals potentially involved in the dispersal of nuclear or other radioactive materials.