Comparison of methods for collecting fired cartridge cases

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ABSTRACT

DNA recovery from fired cartridge cases (FCCs) remains challenging due to the limited DNA amounts available for collection, hence efforts to retain the available DNA are essential. Here we use Diamond^TM nucleic acid dye staining to show that DNA may be lost from an FCC to the inside of its packaging after collection at a crime scene. A novel cartridge collection device mitigated this DNA loss under the conditions tested and could be beneficial for casework.

KEYWORDS:

• Fired cartridge cases
• DNA transfer
• packaging
• DNA collection
• Diamond dye

Acknowledgments

We thank Deborah Hughes for advice on DD staining and project design, and Victoria Police Ballistics Unit for the FCCs and information on packaging methods.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).