Loss and re-location of biological traces from garments: testing two garment cleaning protocols

In sexual assault cases, the retrieved DNA quantity and sampling location from the victim’s underwear may provide valuable information for activity level evaluative reporting. DNA can transfer from site to site on an exhibit, or be lost within packaging, complicating interpretation. Experiments are needed to investigate these factors. This preliminary study compared two cleaning methods to prepare undergarments for such experimentation: hand-washing with warm water and washing with bleach before rinsing. Results show a significantly lower quantity of DNA on washed underwear using both methods. Warm-water hand-washing, the more straightforward method, was selected for further experimentation.