Effects of temperature on the quality of DNA extracted from Manila envelopes
Research Proposal
Janet Boateng
November 15,2014
First draft
Forensic Biology 5410
Abstract/summary:
In the case of mail threat to an individual, it is possible that DNA evidence could be left by the perpetrator on the adhesive strip of a manila envelope. The process of delivery mail via U.S. Postal Services may take from 3-7 business days, with temperature factoring into the quality of analysis of any DNA. If mail threats are coming from regions experiencing lower ambient temperatures, it is likely that DNA would experience decreased degradation in comparison to mail threats coming from regions with typically higher temperatures. The potential to recover DNA from the adhesive strip of a manila envelope is going to be analyzed through multiple tests on samples that experience varying thermal conditions in a hibernation oven. The underlying hypothesis is that higher ambient temperatures increase the rate of DNA degradation that can be reliably recovered from a manila envelope. The objective of this research is to examine the quality of DNA from the adhesive part of a manila envelope under varying thermal conditions.
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