The following table contains details about the different sample extraction success rates:
| Sample Type |
Success Rate |
Details |
| Whole blood or cord blood: Fresh |
High |
Stored refrigerated for less than 30 days in a preservative and not coagulated. |
| Blood stain on collection card |
High |
Requires sample taken on FTA or S&S paper |
| Buccal Swab |
High |
Standard reference sample. |
| Plucked hair |
High |
Hair sample must contain visible root sheath. |
| Whole semen: Fresh |
High |
Stored frozen, or collected within 5 days and stored refrigerated. Semen from vasectomized males has a limited success rate. |
| Semen stains on clothing or vaginal swab |
Medium |
Success rate depends on size of stain and number of sperm. Semen from vasectomized males has a limited success rate. |
| Bloodstain on clothing |
Medium |
Recovery rate dependent on size, age and environmental exposure of stain. |
| Bloodstain on other material e.g. stone, glass etc. |
Medium/Low |
Recovery rate dependent on size, age and environmental exposure of stain. |
| Used tampon / feminine pads |
Medium |
Recovery rate dependent on size of stain and storage conditions of sample (cool dry place storage preferable) and nature of absorbent material. |
| Chewing Gum |
Medium |
Gum with high sugar content has lowest success rate. |
| Cigarette butts |
Medium |
DNA recovery will vary between individuals and smoking technique. |
| Rotten blood |
Medium |
Coagulated and stored at room temperature.. |
| Toe/Finger Nail |
Medium |
Will require at least 30mm2 of nail sample. |
| Fresh liquid urine |
Low |
Stored refrigerated (not frozen) for less than 5 days. Success rate will decrease if urine is stored at room temperature for more than 1 day. |
| Shed Hair |
Low |
These hairs (unlike plucked hairs) contain very little DNA. Mitochondrial DNA testing may be advised. |
| Bone |
Low |
Will require at least 1g of bone sample. |
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