Category

Poster - Basic

Description

This study sought to generate DNA profiles from the Hillsman House surgical table, as well as determine the best method of sample collection and analysis from a wooden substrate. During the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, the Hillsman House was used as a field hospital to treat hundreds of soldiers. In 2018, Jones and McClintock traveled to the historical site and generated human DNA profiles from bloodstains found on the floor of the house, thus demonstrating the ability to profile aged bloodstains. During their study, marks observed on the floor were presumed to be from the surgical table, however, the original table was no longer at the house. Since then, the original wooden surgical table was acquired, and presumed bloodstains were observed. However, there are many hindrances to extracting DNA from wooden substrates. As such, an assortment of literature was reviewed and a variety of collection methods were proposed to increase DNA yield, several of which were applied to this research. In this study, stains from the table were visualized using an alternate light source (ALS) and collected via swabbing and scraping. The samples were then subjected to presumptive testing including Phenolphthalein, Leucomalachite Green (LMG), and the RSID Blood Kit to determine if blood was present in these samples. Then, the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit and Qiagen Investigator Lyse & Spin Basket Kit were used as DNA extraction methods and later compared. Finally, the extracted DNA was quantified using the NanoDrop200 and analyzed with gel electrophoresis, the Applied Biosystems Genetic Analyzer 3500, and GeneMapper ID-X software. The DNA profiles generated from this study demonstrated that aged blood samples on wooden substrates are a viable source of DNA. Furthermore, the comparison of the swabbing techniques and extraction kits could be useful for future testing and application in crime labs.

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Undergraduate

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Apr 17th, 1:00 PM

Civil War Field Hospital: A Bloody Surgical Table’s Link to the Past and its Impact on Future DNA Analysis

Poster - Basic

This study sought to generate DNA profiles from the Hillsman House surgical table, as well as determine the best method of sample collection and analysis from a wooden substrate. During the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, the Hillsman House was used as a field hospital to treat hundreds of soldiers. In 2018, Jones and McClintock traveled to the historical site and generated human DNA profiles from bloodstains found on the floor of the house, thus demonstrating the ability to profile aged bloodstains. During their study, marks observed on the floor were presumed to be from the surgical table, however, the original table was no longer at the house. Since then, the original wooden surgical table was acquired, and presumed bloodstains were observed. However, there are many hindrances to extracting DNA from wooden substrates. As such, an assortment of literature was reviewed and a variety of collection methods were proposed to increase DNA yield, several of which were applied to this research. In this study, stains from the table were visualized using an alternate light source (ALS) and collected via swabbing and scraping. The samples were then subjected to presumptive testing including Phenolphthalein, Leucomalachite Green (LMG), and the RSID Blood Kit to determine if blood was present in these samples. Then, the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit and Qiagen Investigator Lyse & Spin Basket Kit were used as DNA extraction methods and later compared. Finally, the extracted DNA was quantified using the NanoDrop200 and analyzed with gel electrophoresis, the Applied Biosystems Genetic Analyzer 3500, and GeneMapper ID-X software. The DNA profiles generated from this study demonstrated that aged blood samples on wooden substrates are a viable source of DNA. Furthermore, the comparison of the swabbing techniques and extraction kits could be useful for future testing and application in crime labs.

 

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