Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Scientific Correspondence
  • Published:

DNA fingerprints from fingerprints

Abstract

Forensic scientists regularly generate genetic profiles from old blood stains, seminal stains, vaginal swabs, hair, bone, urine and cigarette butts1,2,3,4,5,6. We show that an individual's genetic profile can now also be generated from swabs taken from objects touched by hands, providing a new tool for crime scene investigations. Our findings also demonstrate the need for caution when handling exhibits and when interpreting results.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. van Oorschot, R. A. H., Gutowski, S. J., Robinson, S. L., Hedley, J. A. & Andrew, I. R. J. Forensic Sci. 41, 142–145 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Higuchi, R., von Beroldingen, C. H., Sensabaugh, G. F. & Erlich, H. A. Nature 332, 543–546 (1988).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hagelberg, E., Sykes, B. & Hedges, R. Nature 342, 485(1989).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hagelberg, E., Gray, I. C. & Jeffreys, A. J. Nature 352, 427–429 (1991).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Brinkman, B., Rand, S. & Bajanowski, T. Int. J. Legal Med. 105, 59–61 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hochmeister, M. N. et al. Int. J. Legal Med. 104, 229–233 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  7. van Oorschot, R. A. H., Gutowski, S. J. & Robinson S. L. Int. J. Legal Med. 107, 121–126 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Oorschot, R., Jones, M. DNA fingerprints from fingerprints. Nature 387, 767 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/42838

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/42838

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing