Why M-Vac
Forensics Validations
UC Davis Sexual Assault Oriented Research: IntroductionComparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas Introductions: In forensic science, the collection of cellular material is important. Today, forensic labs typically use the traditional swabbing, cutting and taping techniques to recover cellular material. However, these commonly practiced techniques have limitations with the amount of surface area they can cover. With a new wet vacuum technique, the analyst can sample large areas. The M-Vac, developed by M-Vac Systems, Inc. (MSI), is a liquid based biological evidence collection system. Simply, the wet vacuum sprays a sterile buffer while simultaneously vacuuming the liquid with any cellular material that was present on the surface. In our research, we determined whether the M-Vac is a more effective at collecting DNA from large surface areas than traditional methods by determining the amount of DNA collected.Comparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas |
UC Davis Sexual Assault Oriented Research: Project 1Comparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas Conclusions: In sexual assaults, victims may have a hard time communicating where they were violated or where contact was made between themselves and the perpetrator. In such cases, blind swabbing is the only option, and swabbing is limited to small areas. The M-Vac offers another option for collection when forensic examiners do not know where to look. In cases where the examiner knows were to sample, the M-Vac can be a better instrument for DNA collection on human skin. In cases where the examiner does not know where to sample and would otherwise turn to blind swabbing techniques, the M-Vac is a valuable alternative to retrieve foreign DNA from human skin and allows you to sample a much larder area with the same effectiveness.Comparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas |
UC Davis Sexual Assault Oriented Research: Project 2Comparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas Conclusions: In some cases, a sexual assault victim will shower before they seek out a forensic exam. If the victim was unconscious during the assault, it may be hard to indicate where the victim was violated by the assailant. The traditional swab technique is limited to a small surface area, but the M-Vac can sample large regions of the body. In this study, the saliva location was known, potentially giving the swab an over-representation in the results. When the saliva location is unknown, the M-Vac would be more effective.Comparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas |
UC Davis Sexual Assault Oriented Research: Project 3Comparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas Conclusions: Touch DNA is typically not visible to the naked eye, even with the use of an ALS (Alternative Light Source). Therefore, suing a collection technique that only covers a small area can limit the DNA recovered. Cuttings are typically restricted to a 1 cm2 fragment, whereas the M-Vac can collect one sample from a much larger area. Compared to cuttings, the M-Vac collects more touch DNA because it is capable of covering a much larger surface area. In some trials, the cuttings result in little or not DNA; however, the M-Vac is capable of collecting touch DNA. Regardless the collection method used, more touch DNA is recovered if the contributor has sweaty hands.Comparing the M-Vac to Standard DNA Collection Methods for Large Surface Areas |
Boston University Comparitive DNA Collection ResearchResearchers at Boston University presented impressive M-Vac comparison results at the 2012 North East Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS) Conference showing the M-Vac recovered significantly better than the swabbing method on denim.View PDF |
Filter Apparatus VerificationA verification test was conducted to evaluate the use of a filter apparatus with a 0.45 μm PES filter as a viable means for concentrating M-Vac samples. The verification also included a comparison of the double swab and M-Vac sampling methods. The M-Vac collected 39 times more DNA material than the double swab method.View PDF |
Sorenson Forensics Initial M-Vac EvaluationSorenson Forensics studied the ability of the M-Vac to collect biological material from various fabrics for DNA profiling.View PDF report |