DNA contamination of mortuary instruments and work surfaces: a significantproblem in forensic practice?

A study of 20 mortuaries was undertaken to assess whether contamination of instruments, tables and cutting areas due to residual material containing h uman DNA after routine cleaning is an actual or only a theoretical problem. Of the 20 mortuaries studied, 50% were found to have material containing q uantifiable human DNA on the instruments and surfaces sampled. This DNA was amplified and found, in some cases, to have been derived from at least thr ee people. Of those that did not yield measurable amounts of DNA, a number of samples were selected at random, amplified and were found to produce par tial profiles indicating the presence of low levels of human DNA. The possi ble sources of human DNA from mortuaries are discussed as well as means to reduce or irradicate the problem of instrument contamination. Finally the i mplications of these findings for forensic investigations are discussed.