DNA collection kits

DNA (De-oxy ribonucleic acid) has become the most important tool in a forensic analyst’s arsenal due its unique signature like quality which is not the same in any two people. As evidence and as a tool of investigation DNA testing has come to the fore. The result of this is the growth in demand for DNA collection kits.

All such DNA tests are performed in laboratories specifically built for the purpose and such a laboratory would need an endless list of tools and consumables. Apart from the analysis itself, the process of collecting DNA from a crime scene or as evidence requires special care. DNA collection kits come in handy here.

A DNA collection kit normally consists of a buffer solution, magnetic particles, a pair of rubber gloves, a sterile swab, a filter plate, an elusion and a wash buffer. Although the contents may vary from kit to kit depending on the purpose it was designed for. These DNA collection kits can be handled easily by law enforcement as well as patients that need DNA analysis for predictive medicine purposes.

There are many DNA collection kit manufacturers and they manufacture these kits as per the applications and needs that the kits will be used for. Whatever the need or purpose these kits designed essentially for ease of use for both professionals as well as novices. Please keep the following in mind and follow the steps while collecting DNA samples using DNA collection kits:

First Step: A DNA collection kit comes with colored envelopes and they are designed to be sued for testing 2/3 people. Each envelope is for one person and there are enough swabs to use. The kit also contains a few forms and implicit instructions that need filling up legibly before sending for testing.

Second step: Each of the envelopes contains colored swabs and each color is to be used as per the instructions. If oral samples are being taken, it is advisable to refrain from food and drink for at least 30 minutes before the swabs are used.

Third step: Be careful in the way you handle the swabs and please follow the instructions to avoid any contamination of the DNA samples. Normally each envelope would contain two swabs designed for use of a single person.

Fourth step: Use the swab by making sure that the cotton end is rubbed firmly on the inside of the cheek, under the tongue and below the lips. The idea here is to collect cheek tissue and not only saliva. Repeat the process with both the swabs in the envelope and each process with a single swab should take at least 10 seconds.

Fifth step: Make sure that the swabs are dried out for at least an hour before putting them back into the envelopes. Place the swabs in such a way that the cotton end does not touch anything. Do not, repeat, do not touch the cotton end of the swab for any purpose.

Sixth step: Once the process of putting the swabs back into the envelope is over, make ser you fill up all the accompanying details and send the kit back to where it would go for testing.

The above are the steps involved in normal DNA collection using commercial DNA collection kits. The forensic DNA collection also follows a similar careful process but since the DNA samples can be varied, the kit would differ to accommodate a variety of samples.

Although the process of DNA collection is easy using a DNA collection kit, being careful is the main mantra. The oral DNA collection process detailed above can be done by anyone on anyone including infants.