NFSTC® Laboratory Study

To determine how effectively each product destroys biological contaminants, 20-µl samples of blood were added to varying quantities of 10% bleach solution and STERIPLEX® SD; the samples were then allowed to remain exposed to the decontaminants for 5 minutes. Four volumes of each solution were tested: 20 µl, 40 µl, 100 µl, and 200 µl. All of the tests were performed in triplicate. At the end of the 5-minute exposure, the samples were assessed to determine how much DNA remained, indicating the decontamination effectiveness of each solution.

Amplified DNA with Wiping Results

The samples with bleach solution gave partial DNA profiles with peak heights ranging from 60 RFUs to 300 RFUs for some homozygotes. It should be noted that the MinElute® process on average increases peak heights by 10-fold; therefore, without this method the majority of these peaks would not be called. See the figures below.

Bleach Solution Decontamination Results

Amplified DNA Wiping Results for Bleach Solution: Green Dye for D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539 and D2S1338 Loci

For STERIPLEX® SD, the samples appeared to be negative. There were some peaks around 20 RFUs that were consistent with the profile, but nothing was called. Without MinElute® these peaks would be well within the baseline and would not be noticeable. See the figures below.

STERIPLEX® SD Decontamination Results

Amplified DNA with Wiping Results for STERIPLEX® SD: Green Dye for D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539 and D2S1338 Loci

Conclusions

Overall, both products were effective at destroying DNA, but STERIPLEX® SD was shown to be 7 to 15 times more effective. STERIPLEX® SD also demonstrated numerous other benefits with regard to duration of effectiveness (two months), safety to personnel and equipment (non-corrosive and non-toxic), time savings, and ease of use.
- Evidence Technology Magazine

About This Study

This Comparison Study of Disinfectants for Decontamination was supported by Award No. 2010-DN-BX-K210 for the Forensic
Technology Center of Excellence, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
National Institute of Justice - Forensic Technology Center of Excellence - Award No. 2010-DN-BX-K210 20

*Read study on NFSTC® website: NFSTC®  "Comparison Study of Disinfectants for Decontamination"

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