Simple and nondestructive method to access and process material on coverslipped slides

The highly limiting nature of forensic evidence can, many times, force investigators and scientists to access nonoptimal sources of evidence such as slides from sexual assault evidence collection kits or archival slides from autopsies or hospital visits. These slides may contain hair, cells, fibers, or other physical evidence that are trapped in coverslipping media and are difficult to access. Methods to remove coverslips and access this material have been historically undertaken; however, most involve the use of dangerous processes or solvents (e.g., xylene and liquid nitrogen) and may also compromise the sample. We have revisited this and developed a new, simple, nondestructive, and safe method that can be used in concert with the new, more sensitive technology that may be able to improve downstream analysis of slide-bound material. The removal method uses a humid environment to gradually separate the mounting media from the coverslip. The coverslip is then coated in a thin layer of clear nail polish, allowing the coverslip to be removed without cracking, providing access to the sample. The method was able to successfully remove 100% of the coverslips mounted using a variety of mounting media from slides of varying ages (6+ years).