Date of Submission

12-16-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Forensic Science

Advisor

Ashley G. Morgan, Ph.D.

Keywords

DNA Recovery, Phalanges and Metacarpals, Common Household Chemicals, Decomposition, SYBR-based DNA quantification, pH

MeSH

DNA, Metacarpal Bones, Household Products, DNA Degradation, Necrotic, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

LCSH

DNA, Phalanges, Biodegradation, Hydrogen-ion concentration

Abstract

This experiment evaluated the DNA recovery success from phalanges and metacarpals isolated from fleshed porcine feet that were soaked in different household cleaners and chemicals. Three sets of two porcine feet were submerged in Drano, method: All-Purpose Cleaner, and a 1:1 dilution of lemon juice to tap water, respectively. Another set of two porcine feet, assigned to the control group, was left unsubmerged. All four sets were left to decompose for 28 days. Pictures and weights were taken once a week for the duration, before the bones were isolated and powdered for extraction using the BTA Prepfiler Kit, followed by DNA quantification with a SYBR Green assay using porcine-specific primers. A high DNA-yield group, containing the Drano and control samples, and a low DNA-yield group, containing lemon juice and method samples, were observed. The samples obtained from the set soaked in Drano had the highest DNA recovery yield, whereas the samples soaked in method: All-Purpose Cleaner had the lowest. Factors, including active chemicals and pH, may affect the quantity of DNA recovered from the samples, with alkaline solutions having higher recovery rate than acidic solutions.

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