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Comparing Standard and Selective Degradation DNA Extraction Methods: Results from a Field Experiment with Sexual Assault Kits ,
Author(s) -
Campbell Rebecca,
Pierce Steven J.,
Sharma Dhruv B.,
Shaw Jessica,
Feeney Hannah,
Nye Jeffrey,
Schelling Kristin,
FehlerCabral Giannina
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13251
Subject(s) - sexual assault , equivalence (formal languages) , dna testing , forensic science , poison control , engineering , forensic engineering , statistics , computer science , medicine , human factors and ergonomics , mathematics , biology , medical emergency , genetics , discrete mathematics , veterinary medicine
A growing number of U.S. cities have large numbers of untested sexual assault kits ( SAK s) in police property facilities. Testing older kits and maintaining current case work will be challenging for forensic laboratories, creating a need for more efficient testing methods. Methods: We evaluated selective degradation methods for DNA extraction using actual case work from a sample of previously unsubmitted SAK s in Detroit, Michigan. We randomly assigned 350 kits to either standard or selective degradation testing methods and then compared DNA testing rates and CODIS entry rates between the two groups. Results and conclusions: Continuation‐ratio modeling showed no significant differences, indicating that the selective degradation method had no decrement in performance relative to customary methods. Follow‐up equivalence tests indicated that CODIS entry rates for the two methods could differ by more than ±5%. Selective degradation methods required less personnel time for testing and scientific review than standard testing.