Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-31-2015

Subject: LCSH

DNA, Rape, Body Fluids

Disciplines

Forensic Science and Technology

Abstract

Touch DNA can be of use in establishing what may have occurred through reconstruction of events based on biological evidence transfer. However, interpretation of results and patterns must be approached with some caution as in the alleged child abuse case detailed here. This case was brought forward as a touch DNA and body fluid case where the male in question was a father reported to have forced a young child to perform oral sex on him. Her pajamas were collected and evaluated for presence of body fluids and associated DNA. The sleeves of the pajamas tested positive for amylase, a potential indicator of saliva and DNA of both victim and father combined. Initially, it was thought that this would be clear evidence to bring forth to trial; however, as the remaining stains were tested on the pajamas, reconstruction of events became substantially altered. Up to six family members DNA profiles were recovered off the child’s garments and also a semen stain from a half-brother.

Comments

© 2015 Coyle, H. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format provided the original author and source are credited. The article originally appeared in, Austin Journal of Forensic Science and Criminology.

The article is also available from the publisher's website.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publisher Citation

Coyle HM. Touch DNA in a Complicated Alleged Child Abuse Case. Austin J Forensic Sci Criminol. 2015; 2(5): 1042.

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