Human DNA contamination of mortuaries: does it matter?

With the continuing development of extremely sensitive, automated systems f or the detection of human DNA from a number of cellular sources, the proble m of sample contamination from scents of crime, cadavers, and the mortuary environment has become a potentially serious issue, with implications for a ll involved in forensic investigations. A recent survey of 20 mortuaries id entified quantifiable human DNA on mortuary work surfaces and instruments w hich, when amplified, produced in some cases three or more profiles from si ngle site samples, Possible sources of DNA contamination in the mortuary ar e discussed, along with implications related to its presence and its avoida nce during the sampling process. These observations may not be confined to forensic practice. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.