Touch DNA refers to DNA obtained from skin cells transferred onto objects such as weapons or gloves.

Touch DNA refers to DNA obtained from skin cells transferred onto objects such as weapons or gloves.

• A. DNA obtained from skin cells transferred onto objects such as weapons or gloves.
• B. DNA degraded beyond study.
• C. DNA that touches the surface of the genome.
• D. DNA recovered only from blood samples.

Answer: (A)

Touch DNA is DNA shed from skin cells that a person leaves on objects when they touch them. This means investigators can recover genetic material from surfaces like weapons or gloves simply because a person handled them. The description that matches this idea—DNA obtained from skin cells transferred onto objects through contact—best captures what touch DNA is and how it’s used in forensic work. The other statements don’t fit this concept. DNA degraded beyond study describes poor quality material rather than the source of touch DNA; DNA that touches the surface of the genome isn’t a meaningful idea in this context; and DNA recovered only from blood would miss the everyday reality of touch DNA, which derives from skin cells and other contact residues, not exclusively from blood.

Touch DNA is DNA shed from skin cells that a person leaves on objects when they touch them. This means investigators can recover genetic material from surfaces like weapons or gloves simply because a person handled them. The description that matches this idea—DNA obtained from skin cells transferred onto objects through contact—best captures what touch DNA is and how it’s used in forensic work.

The other statements don’t fit this concept. DNA degraded beyond study describes poor quality material rather than the source of touch DNA; DNA that touches the surface of the genome isn’t a meaningful idea in this context; and DNA recovered only from blood would miss the everyday reality of touch DNA, which derives from skin cells and other contact residues, not exclusively from blood.