Now, police can soon catch criminals thanks to DNA in the air

Police may soon be able to catch criminals by using a completely different DNA sampling method to test for evidence in the air.

Forensic-savvy criminals will know how to clean up crime scenes to remove DNA traces (or DNA) to get away with the crime, but new research shows that the air and air conditioners themselves can still preserve evidence. crime , according to IFLScience on April 2.

Forensic technology is founded on the fact that humans leave traces of DNA everywhere they go, from the saliva we talk and cough to dead skin cells or hair.

Human DNA can be found in the air at the crime scene - (Illustration: Shutterstock)

For decades, police have identified criminals using DNA technology on tissue samples or semen stains at crime scenes.

However, wearing gloves and cleaning the scene can erase this valuable evidence. Therefore, searching for eDNA (environmental DNA) through other means can play a pivotal role in cases involving forensically savvy criminals.

A small-scale investigation looking for eDNA traces was tested in two places. One is the air conditioning operating in 4 offices and 4 buildings, the other is the air in these rooms themselves. These places are inspected at different times after cleaning and with different numbers of people for different periods of time.

The results showed that human DNA could be found in both environments. DNA collected in the air related to people who were in the room at a time close to the time of sampling, while DNA collected from air conditioner surfaces appeared to be slightly older. This means that where eDNA is found can tell us about how that person used that space.

"Research shows that human DNA can be collected from the air and on surfaces that circulate air , such as air conditioners, and can identify people who frequent those spaces as well as " regular visitor " , the research authors from Flinders University (Australia) wrote.

Sampling of air conditioners can be used to identify frequent or long-term users of the room. Meanwhile, air sampling can assist in identifying people who have used the room a lot or recently.

Although a promising step forward in the effort to keep criminals out of the net, the authors say more research is needed to determine the best places to obtain eDNA.

The research is published in the journal Electrophoresis .