Pediatric Forensic Analysis: The Benefits of DNA Collection Beyond 24 Hours.

Background: Although the presence of forensic evidence aids in successful prosecution of sexual abuse, controversy remains regarding the timing and indications for collection of forensic evidence in child sexual abuse/assault.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe forensic evidence findings in acute child sexual abuse after implementing more inclusive indications for collection of evidence in a pediatric emergency department and to identify factors associated with yield of DNA.

Results: Of the 306 evidence kits collected and analyzed, 110 (35.

Optimization of the Promega PowerSeq™ Auto/Y system for efficient integration within a forensic DNA laboratory.

The application of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is growing in the forensic DNA field, as forensic DNA laboratories are continuously seeking methods to gain information from a limited or degraded forensic sample. However, the laborious nature of current MPS methodologies required for successful library preparation and sequencing leave opportunities for improvement to make MPS a practical option for processing forensic casework. In this study, the Promega PowerSeq™ Auto/Y System Prototype, a MPS laboratory workflow that incorporates multiplex amplification, was selected for optimization with the objectives to introduce automation for relieving manual processing, and to reduce the number of steps recommended by the standard protocol.

Pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner care: trace forensic evidence, ano-genital injury, and judicial outcomes.

Introduction: Although pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners (P-SANEs) have been providing care for over two decades there remain major gaps in the literature describing the quality of P-SANE care and legal outcomes associated with their cases. The purpose of this study was to compare quality indicators of care in a pediatric emergency department (PED) before and after the implementation of a P-SANE program described in terms of trace forensic evidence yield, identification of perpetrator DNA, and judicial outcomes in pediatric acute sexual assault.

Method: A retrospective review of medical and legal records of all patients presenting to the PED at Nationwide Children's Hospital with concerns of acute sexual abuse/assault requiring forensic evidence collection from 1/1/04 to 12/31/07 was conducted.

Forensic evidence collection and DNA identification in acute child sexual assault.

Objective: To describe forensic evidence findings and reevaluate previous recommendations with respect to timing of evidence collection in acute child sexual assault and to identify factors associated with yield of DNA.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of medical and legal records of patients aged 0 to 20 years who required forensic evidence collection.

Results: Ninety-seven of 388 (25%) processed evidence-collection kits were positive and 63 (65%) of them produced identifiable DNA.

Long PCR for VNTR analysis.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has revolutionized the analysis of DNA from a variety of sources. With its sensitivity and ability to amplify degraded DNAs and small quantities of samples, coupled with fast turn-around-time, PCR is often the analytical method of choice for DNA profiling in forensic laboratories. RFLP methods, while requiring larger amounts of high molecular weight DNA and needing approximately 6-8 weeks of analytical time, still provide a higher power of discrimination per locus than that achieved using the loci currently available for PCR.