Preliminary Investigation of a Potential Optical Biosensor Using the Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye Applied to DNA and Friction Ridge Analysis from Fingerprint Traces

Developments in science and technology lead to an increasing use of scientific evidence in litigation. Interdisciplinary research can improve current procedures and introduce new ones for the disclosure and examination of evidence. The dactyloscopic trace is used for personal identification by matching minutiae (the minimum required may vary by country) or for extracting DNA material from the trace under investigation. The research presented in this article aims to propose the merging of two currently used personal identification methods, DNA analysis and dactyloscopic trace analysis, which are currently treated as separate forensic traces found at a crime scene. Namely, the forensic trace to be analyzed is the dactyloscopic trace containing DNA, and both sources of information needed for identification are examined as one. Promega's Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye, presented as a safe alternative to ethidium bromide, works by binding to single- and double-stranded DNA and is used to visualize the separation of material in a gel and to detect DNA in forensic samples. Spectroscopic studies as absorption and emission spectra and fluorescence microscopy observations presented in our research confirm that Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye can also be used to visualize fingerprints on non-absorbent surfaces and that combining the two methods into one can significantly increase the evidential value and contribute to the design of an innovative fast-acting optical biosensor.