Honors Program
Honors Program: Embargoed Theses
First Advisor
Dr. Michael Adamowicz
Date of this Version
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
Labonar, H. (2025). An Analysis of Food Substrate Collection Methods for DNA Profiling. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Abstract
Many crime scenes may have food left behind that could contain essential genetic information that can be used by forensic DNA analysts to generate a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profile. The aim of this research study and paper is to analyze three collection methods and determine which is most efficient for extracting DNA evidence from three separate and forensically significant food substrates. This was done by depositing a known amount of DNA in a cell suspension onto apples, bananas, and bread, and then collecting those samples using swabbing, cutting, and grinding collection methods. The results of which were then analyzed for DNA quantity and quality through polymerase chain reactions and STR analysis. Apples and bananas were found to yield a higher quantity and quality of DNA profiles when using the swabbing collection method, while the bread substrate saw success with the grinding collection method. These results emphasize the importance of understanding the characteristics and subsequent requirements of different food substrate types when it comes to collection methods and materials.
Comments
Copyright Hannah Labonar 2025.