Thesis
Persistence and contamination of the human microbiome on clothes: T-shirt, socks and underwear
Masters by Coursework, Murdoch University
2023
Abstract
The field of forensic science prides itself on the ability to discern information from physical characteristics beyond the scope of the layman’s eye. However, it is the very nature of science that fields of research are under constant and endless development. Thus, current understanding of microbiology, forensic science and trace evidence has expanded in such a way that it seems within the grasp of modern and established scientific methods to evaluate the possibility of utilizing the human microbiome as a form of identification that would withstand the scrutiny of court-based proceedings as well as be reasonably and effectively communicated to people at all levels of scientific learning. An experiment was carried out, wherein clothing was worn for a timeframe of 24 hours and then removed. Cuttings of this clothing were then properly screened and extracted for sources of bacterial DNA whilst the same process was applied to an identically treated yet unworn duplicate that was stored adjacent to the worn article. These samples were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification by PCR and then quantitatively and qualitatively analysed by various lab sanctioned protocols. The results of the data were, at this point in time, inconclusive due to matters of handling that brought the nature of the materials outside expected parameters. However, the literature around the topics of trace material evidence and the possibility of touch microbiomes evidentiary value in the court of law is, at the barest minimum, promising.
Keywords: Trace Evidence, forensics, microbiome, bacterial persistence, fabric substrate.
Details
- Title
- Persistence and contamination of the human microbiome on clothes: T-shirt, socks and underwear
- Authors/Creators
- Frazer C McKell
- Contributors
- Paola Magni (Supervisor)S. Gino (Supervisor)N. Procopio (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Coursework
- Identifiers
- 991005586370207891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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