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How DNA recovered from pill surfaces could snare drug syndicates
Phys.org ^ | 8/9/2021 | by Flinders University

Posted on 08/16/2021 10:08:35 PM PDT by LibWhacker

Forensic scientists have for the first time shown that DNA can be recovered from the surface of capsules after just 15 seconds of contact by drug manufacturers and dealers—making it possible for law enforcement agencies to track down criminal syndicates around the world.

In a new study published in Forensic Science International: Genetics, Flinders University researchers have demonstrated that DNA from criminals who may have handled the capsules during production, assembly and distribution of illegal drugs can be identified if matched to a profile of a suspect, or one already on a DNA database.

Ph.D. candidate Amy Griffin from the College of Science and Engineering says the DNA profiles can also be compared to those found on other capsules to potentially link various drug seizures around the world.

"This pilot study demonstrates the potential for laboratories to recover human DNA from the exterior surface of capsules which are commonly used to encase illicit drugs such as MDMA, enabling both biological and chemical profiling methods to contribute to the investigation of clandestine drug production."

"The ability to generate profiles from 82% of capsules highlights how valuable it could be for operational forensic laboratories to sample the exterior of pill capsules."

"Our methodology is compatible with systems already implemented in DNA laboratories, which easily facilitates the examination of illicit drug capsules for DNA. With the baseline of DNA transfer established, further research is underway by us to investigate this application when capsules are handled in a more realistic scenario encountered in police work."

The quantities of DNA recovered from the capsules ranged from 0.006 to 3.700 ng, with an average of 0.267 ng. DNA quantities varied within and between each volunteer and capsule type, however overall there was no significant difference between the quantities of DNA collected with the three types of capsules used.

Chair in Forensic DNA Technology, Professor Adrian Linacre, says the results will also highlight the potential to generate DNA profiles to upload to a criminal database to help identify other persons of interest in criminal syndicates.

"If an unidentifiable DNA profile is obtained, it may still be useful for intelligence-led policing as a 'biological profile' to potentially link or exclude various drug seizures as originating from the same source to complement and corroborate the findings of the chemical profile."

The paper in Forensics Science International: Genetics is titled "DNA on drugs! A preliminary investigation of DNA deposition during the handling of illicit drug capsules."


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: crime; dna; drug; forensic; syndicates; tool
Great! Use this to put drug syndicates out of business.

Not so great. Use this to put what should be considered constitutionally protected activists/patriots (or anybody else government doesn't like) out of biz.

Two sides to every coin.

1 posted on 08/16/2021 10:08:35 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: LibWhacker

And they’ll keep running the test until it gives a positive for the suspect.


2 posted on 08/16/2021 10:13:04 PM PDT by Born to Conserve
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To: LibWhacker

Fat chance of that happening under this corrupt, immoral, criminal loving, evil regime.


3 posted on 08/16/2021 10:15:58 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…. )
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To: LibWhacker

Gloves, masks, isolation suits.


4 posted on 08/16/2021 10:30:34 PM PDT by heartwood (Someone has to play devil's advocate other.)
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To: LibWhacker

“Great! Use this to put drug syndicates out of business.”


You think the Deep State wants to put the drug syndicates out of business?


5 posted on 08/16/2021 10:35:56 PM PDT by Ken H (Trump won.)
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To: LibWhacker

It would not be all that difficult to plant someones DNA on
large quantities of drugs.


6 posted on 08/17/2021 12:10:32 AM PDT by Bobalu (The higher the monkey climbs, the more you see his ass.)
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To: LibWhacker

lol more idiots do they think drug bigwigs handle the drugs or paid peons? now forewarned will they take precautions? how much dog dna will they find now?


7 posted on 08/17/2021 3:25:47 AM PDT by rolling_stone (is it time to roll ?)
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To: rolling_stone

The workers would wear gloves to protect themselves from the drugs anyhow so no dna. Now on the packages there probably are fingerprints / dna but Al Capone is not handling the stuff.


8 posted on 08/17/2021 3:23:57 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (I need more money. )
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