What determines whether the ATF lab will work on a case?

For example, what would determine

whether the ATF lab works a case versus the D.C. crime lab?

In order for the ATF Laboratory to accept a case for analysis, ATF needs to be actively involved with
investigating the case. If multiple investigating agencies are involved, those agencies work together to
determine who has jurisdiction and where the evidence should be analyzed. The ATF Laboratory
specializes in examining evidence from arson, explosive and firearms-related cases. ATF agents often
partner with state or local agencies during an investigation and offer to examine evidence at the ATF
Laboratory for cases that fall into our areas of expertise.

When analysts are working at a crime scene, especially a very large scene, what is the process for
determining what should be collected as evidence? How do analysts make sure all potential evidence
is collected?

When ATF Laboratory assistance is requested, the examiners that respond do so in more of an advisory
role. In some instances, the analyst may assist with evidence collection and packaging if requested by
the crime scene technician. For example, a DNA Analyst from the ATF Laboratory might respond to a
scene and assess it for areas and items that may be conducive for “touch DNA,” an area that the ATF
Laboratory specializes in. The DNA Analysts put themselves in the shoes of the potential perpetrator,
attempting to determine what items or areas that person may have handled or come into contact with
while at the scene. The DNA Analysts then work with the crime scene technicians and suggest items
that could be collected or swabbed. With a large scene, the analyst will typically assess each room on an
individual basis before moving on to the next room. If the scene consists of an outdoor area or large
warehouse, the analyst may divide it into quadrants or sections for processing. Ultimately, laboratory
analysts do not have control over evidence collection and therefore, have no way of knowing or
ensuring that all potential evidence is collected.

How do analysts confirm a contributor to a specific DNA sample if there is more than one
contributor present?

The ATF Laboratory often encounters mixture DNA profiles, which are DNA profiles consisting of two or
more contributors. Our DNA Analysts do not confirm the presence of individuals in mixed DNA samples;
we determine whether an individual could be included as a possible contributor to the mixture. When a
comparison is made between a known individual and mixed DNA profile, the DNA analyst looks at every
marker in the evidence profile to see if the known individual’s DNA profile is consistent or not. If it is
determined that the individual is excluded as a possible contributor at even one marker, that person is
excluded as a possible contributor to the entire mixture. If the person’s DNA profile is consistent with
being a possible contributor to the mixture at each marker, the ATF Laboratory states that the individual
is included as a possible contributor to the mixed DNA profile. To provide weight to this conclusion, a
statistical analysis calculation is provided that addresses how common or rare that inclusion is.

It is important to note that the ATF Laboratory does not analyze known DNA profiles from individuals
until the interpretations on the evidence profiles have been completed. Therefore, the known DNA
profile of an individual does not influence the interpretation of the evidentiary profile.
What is touch DNA and how can it be left at a crime scene?

Touch DNA is a term that is used to describe DNA that is left behind on a surface after an individual
comes into contact with it. Typically, ATF DNA Analysts examine evidence for the presence of touch
DNA by focusing on areas where an individual likely touched or handled an item, potentially depositing
skin cells onto it. However, touch DNA can also include other sources of DNA, such as sweat, saliva, and
mucus that may be transferred to an item through contact or an individual being in close proximity to
that item when talking, coughing, sweating, or sneezing. Other factors involved in depositing touch DNA
at a scene include: the textured surface of the evidence, the length of time handled and propensity of an
individual to shed skin cells.

What are accidental DNA transfers? How do ATF analysts protect against accidental DNA
transfers and test for the presence of accidental DNA transfers? How common are accidental DNA
transfers?

An accidental DNA transfer is the inadvertent transfer of DNA from one person/item to another item.
Accidental transfers occur the same way in which DNA can be left behind at a crime scene – by touching
an item, coughing/sneezing/talking near an item, or sweating on an item. The ATF Laboratory’s DNA
section has many precautions in place to prevent accidental DNA transfers, such as:
- Always wearing gloves when examining or collecting evidence, and changing them often
- Only having one item of evidence open at a time
- Examining evidence samples separately from known DNA samples
- Wearing a disposable lab coat, and having the option of wearing a disposable face mask
- Cleaning all work surfaces and tools with bleach and alcohol before and after the examination of
each exhibit.

The ATF Laboratory attempts to detect accidental DNA transfers by:

- Processing negative controls, or blanks, with each set of samples analyzed. If DNA is detected in
these blank samples, it is an indication that an accidental transfer occurred.
- Comparing DNA profiles from evidence against a database containing DNA profiles of ATF
Laboratory Staff. While this database does not include all first responders or law enforcement
officers at a scene, it does include DNA profiles from laboratory analysts who handle evidence.
Elimination DNA profiles are normally requested from scene personnel.

Accidental DNA transfers are uncommon, but do occur periodically. Methods used today are more
sensitive than in the past, leading to a greater ability to detect accidental transfer.