UTMESA+MESA+ InstituteNewsLab-on-a-chip helps search for human DNA at crime scenes

Lab-on-a-chip helps search for human DNA at crime scenes

Thanks to the work carried out by University of Twente PhD candidate Brigitte Bruijns, crime scenes can now be inspected on the spot for the presence of human DNA. In her PhD thesis, she describes a lab-on-a-chip that rapidly indicates whether a trace discovered at a crime scene contains human DNA and, thus, whether it should be examined in the laboratory.

Every year, the Netherlands Forensic Institute (Nederlands Forensisch Instituut, NFI) carries out more than 100,000 DNA analyses. Half of them do not result in usable DNA profiles and are only fit for the bin. This will soon be history thanks to the lab-on-a-chip investigated by Bruijns. This technological breakthrough clearly indicates whether a trace discovered by a police officer or forensic expert is worth further examination. The answer ‘NO’ means that he or she should move on immediately and look elsewhere for traces that are usable. The answer ‘YES’ means that human DNA is present and that the trace is to be taken to the forensic laboratory for DNA profiling.

Lab-on-a-chip

This indicative screening is carried out using a lab-on-a-chip, a miniscule device on which various laboratory techniques are integrated. The device only needs a minimal sample to be able to analyse a trace. Its closed system enables immediate analysis at the crime scene and the risk of (cross-)contamination is greatly reduced.

In her PhD thesis, Bruijns describes the five different steps that are integrated on the lab-on-a-chip:

  1. Sampling. Forensic experts currently use swabs, which are similar to cotton buds, to take samples and this is where. A lot of cells remain behind on the swab and can no longer be removed from it.
  2. The workup of the DNA sample. Or, in other words, the lysis of cells. This is the breaking down of cells to get at the DNA, possibly followed by extraction and purification.
  3. In practice, there are often tiny quantities of DNA at a crime scene. Amplification of the DNA is therefore necessary.
  4. Detection, which is often realized using a fluorescent dye. Here, the lab-on-a-chip provides the answer to the question of whether there is or isn’t any human DNA present.
  5. Storage of the DNA for further analysis in the laboratory.

One of a kind

“This lab-on-a-chip is like a sort of pregnancy test”, Bruijns says. “Forensic experts see a ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ within 30 minutes. The fact that half of all samples do not resut in human DNA profile, and are therefore worthless, is very frustrating for professionals in the forensic world. Investigating all the reasons for this would be a study in itself. Sampling requires more study. Many samples contain little DNA and the probability of achieving a good profile is closely related to the quantity of DNA you have. The sample may be damaged, for example, if it is very hot and humid or if the sample is exposed to a lot of UV light.”
According to Bruijns, her device is the first of its kind in the world of forensic research. “There are already tests that can be carried out on site to show whether a sample contains human blood, saliva, semen or urine, but this study describes the preceding step in the process.”

Breakthrough

In theory, Bruijns’ study could bring about enormous changes in the professional practice of forensic research. Police officers and forensic researchers will have to learn how to use the lab-on-a-chip and the likelihood of obtaining usable DNA profiles will be higher.

Funding needed

Arian van Asten, professor at the University of Amsterdam and guest researcher at the NFI, thinks that the technology developed at the University of Twente could be of great value in forensic practice. “Forensic DNA research is invaluable in criminal investigations, which is why experts all over the world can never meet the demand, regardless of how much is invested in staff and equipment. The smart selection of evidence at the crime scene, which greatly increases the chances of success of DNA research in the laboratory, could be extremely helpful. However, funding is still needed for more research to further develop Twente's prototypes into robust and indispensable products for forensic experts.”

Further details

Brigitte Bruijns conducted her study in collaboration with the NFI. Bruijns graduated from the Bachelor’s programme in Advanced Technology and the teacher training programme in chemistry at the University of Twente and went on to complete the Master’s programme in Forensic Science at the University of Amsterdam. Bruijns also lectured for the Forensic Research educational programme at Saxion University of Applied Sciences.
She conducted her study in Prof. Han Gardeniers’ department of Mesoscale Chemical Systems (Faculty of Science and Technology). The public defence of her PhD thesis will take place on Friday 18 January 2019. A digital version of her PhD thesis, entitled Microfluidic devices for presumptive forensic tests, is available on request.

J.C. Vreeman (Jochem)
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