Forensic Samples

1. Can the presence of blood, sperm or semen be detected on an item of clothing or other materials/objects?
   Yes. Testing can be performed to confirm the presence of blood, sperm and/or semen in a sample.

2. What is the best sample to take from a dead body for DNA testing?
   Blood, tissue or hair roots can be collected from a body. If the body is decomposed, the best samples are long bones such as the humerus or femur. However, we can also work with teeth.

3. Are you able to get a DNA profile from urine?
   Yes. A profile can be obtained from urine.

4. Can you test hair without the root?
   Yes. Instead of using nuclear DNA testing, we would use mitochondrial DNA testing.

5. How much of an evidence sample is needed to obtain DNA results?
   This depends on the condition of the sample and the type of testing performed. We specialize in unusual and difficult forensic samples. Contact us to discuss the details involved with your case.

6. I have a sample with a male/female mixture, but no male DNA profile was obtained from standard testing. Is there a way to obtain a male profile?
   Yes. Y-STR testing can be used to obtain a male profile in these instances. However, a minimum amount of male DNA must be present.

7. What kind of reference sample is required?
   For reference samples, we prefer buccal swabs or blood cards, but we will also accept whole blood.  If you are sending whole blood, please use appropriate shipping materials to prevent breakage.

8. How do I get a reference sample collected?
   Contact us to schedule a sample draw at convenient sites nationwide.  We can also schedule sample collection at correctional facilities.

9. How does DDC assist with reference sample collection?
   We can provide you with buccal swab collection kits, and we can coordinate sample collections at any one of our conveniently located draw\sites nationwide.

10. Which type of sample produces more accurate results, buccal swabs, whole blood or blood cards?
    All three sample types produce equally accurate results.

11. How do I send a sample from another lab or hospital?
    The sample can be sent via courier to the following address:
    
    DDC Forensic Department
    One DDC Way
    Fairfield, OH 45014

12. Do you have training sessions for collecting DNA samples from the crime scene?
    DDC provides informative training seminars on the collection of evidence for DNA analysis. The seminar will include information on DNA theory, evidence handling, and serology. The trainees will take part in hands-on demonstrations and will participate in mock crime scenes of various degrees of difficulty.

13. When should Y-STR testing be used?
    If a sample’s minor component is male with the major component being female, then Y-STR testing may reveal a male DNA profile. If there are multiple male contributors in a sample, Y-STR testing may help to differentiate the individual contributors.