A team of researchers has pioneered a groundbreaking method for analysing forensic evidence in sexual assault cases, potentially speeding up the DNA analysis process and reducing delays in evidence processing.

Canada experiences nearly half a million sexual assaults each year, many of which go unreported. One deterrent to reporting is the perceived inefficiency of forensic evidence analysis. “The most common reason victims cited for not reporting assaults was a lack of confidence in the justice system, partly due to how long the process takes,” explains Mohamed Elsayed, lead author of the study published in Advanced Science. Elsayed, who conducted the research as part of his PhD in Biomedical Engineering, is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto’s Department of Chemistry.

The traditional process for analysing DNA evidence in sexual assault cases involves several steps. First, DNA evidence is collected and then sent to a lab for detailed analysis, where a technician must separate the DNA of the assailant from that of the victim before analysis can proceed. This complex process can take days or even weeks, with transportation and lab queue times being major contributors to the delay.

Elsayed and his team focused on improving the first step—separating two individuals’ DNA within a single sample. Using a differential digestion technique and digital microfluidics, the researchers reduced the manual steps required to isolate the assailant’s DNA from 13 steps to just five. “With microfluidic processes typically being faster, we expect this technique to reduce the overall time needed,” says Elsayed.

The potential for this technique extends beyond lab applications, as it may lead to mobile solutions that can process DNA at a hospital or other care setting immediately after an incident. This would eliminate transportation delays and reduce the time needed for samples to enter the lab queue.

Additionally, the new technique is compatible with Rapid DNA Analysis, a technology already used to identify individuals based on DNA. Elsayed and his co-authors envision integrating these two technologies to further streamline forensic processing.

Although there are challenges ahead, Elsayed is optimistic about the future of this method. His team aims to develop a commercial instrument capable of performing DNA isolation in five minutes—a process that currently takes up to 45 minutes. “Once we achieve this, the next step is to introduce the technology into forensic labs and hospitals,” Elsayed says. “It will take years, but the potential impact is incredibly exciting.”

This research, funded by NSERC Alliance Society and ANDE Corporation, holds promise for transforming the forensic analysis process in sexual assault cases, making it faster and more accessible for victims seeking justice.

Republished courtesy of the University of Toronto

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