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 DiamondTM 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.
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).