WO1997019335A1

WO1997019335A1 - Dna identification method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1997019335A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/018276
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Matthews
Original assignee: Child Trace International, Inc.
Priority date: 1995-11-20
Filing date: 1996-11-20
Publication date: 1997-05-29
Also published as: CA2238104A1

Abstract

A DNA identification sampling method and kit are provided. The kit container (1) houses sanitary gloves, a vial (18) containing preservative solution (19), a collection device, an ambient light protection envelope, and instructions for use (8). The container has a storage space (3) for the vial (18), as well as a tube holder (4) for supporting the open vial (18) during use. DNA samples are collected by rubbing the cheek of the subject with the collection device, placing the collection device in the vial (18) and sealing. The vial is then placed within the light protection envelope for transport.

Description

DNA IDENTIFICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every year hundreds of thousands of people become lost or missing within the United States. Identifying missing persons or identifying trace evidence from a missing person is a problem that has hampered recovery.

Whether an individual is simply lost or forcibly abducted, conventional identification techniques have proved unable to provide a safe and objective method by which to recover the lost or abducted individual . The failure of effectively identify lost people not only hampers their recovery but also leads to fraud on insurance companies. Conventional sources of identifying missing persons include the use of visual identification, from a photograph or movie. The subjective aspect of matching a photograph to a live individual, or a deceased individual, makes photographic identification unreliable. When minors are involved, who grow and change in appearance rather rapidly, photographs are often of little help. Attempts to update photographs to account for changes in appearance, because of disguise or age, are often inadequate. Moreover, when individuals are badly burned or decomposed, photographs are of little use.

Fingerprinting assists in overcoming some of the disadvantages of picture identification. Fingerprints however are only useful in assisting in the recovery of an abducted individual if in fact a fingerprint has been left. Many times the fingerprints are not usable having been taken by untrained persons. Moreover, fingerprints are not always visible and may be completely overlooked by individuals looking for a missing person.

Dental records have been used to identify deceased individuals who are otherwise unidentifiable. Dental records however are not easily used in identifying whether an individual passed through a given location. Dental records are also of little use if a portion, other than a jaw, of a missing person, presumably deceased, is discovered. Recovery of lost or abducted individuals if further complicated by the lack of any data bank for dental records . Dental records are not maintained by the FBI and thus are of little or no use.

DNA, Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid, has been recognized of late as a very effective manner in which to identify either the remains of an individual or identify whether a sample of physical evidence belongs to an individual. Often if an individual is in an area some portion of their DNA will be left behind, whether it be under the fingernails of an attacker, a hair in a hat or the like. The FBI maintains DNA records but has been hampered by the inability to obtain known DNA information on individuals that have been abducted or are missing.

Missing person investigators have been unable to use

DNA to successfully recover missing persons because a safe and reliable source of DNA known to be from the missing person is unavailable. The obtaining of DNA records from the population in general has been hampered by peoples fear that the government will use the information against their interests or that they will be denied insurance or other benefits based on information ascertainable from their DNA. Recent advancements in science have made it possible for an individuals susceptibility to a hereditary disease to be determinable from an individuals DNA. Thus, based on the fear of government misuse or the denial of benefits, or the like, no method of collecting and storing DNA has been advanced that may be used by the general public.

To date there has been no reliable manner in which to collect DNA samples from the general public.

OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the difficulties associated with identifying missing persons and to provide a safe, non-invasive, cost efficient and reliable method and apparatus by which an individual may obtain a DNA sample for future or immediate use.

The present invention uses a DNA identification apparatus that comprises a container which houses sterile latex rubber gloves, a sterile non-invasive collecting device, a preservation unit for the DNA, an ambient light protection device, instructions for use and a transportation and use holder for the preservation unit. The container is designed such that the contents of the container may be removed while not disrupting the upper portion of the container.

A use holder is provided on an upper portion of the container. The use holder is designed so as to hold the preservation unit when it is in an open state, in an upright position, giving the user access to the open preservation unit. The upper portion is also designed so as to provided instructions for use so as to facilitate the gathering and preserving of the DNA sample.

The container is used by opening a side panel. The sterile latex rubber gloves, sterile non-invasive collecting device and ambient light protection device are removed. The preservation unit is then removed from a transportation holder, opened and placed in the use holder. The sterile latex rubber gloves are then placed upon the DNA collector's hands. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that sterile latex rubber gloves are not exclusive and that comparable means by which the collector's hands may be effectively kept from contaminating the DNA sample may be used.

The sterile non-invasive collection package is opened on the designated side and a non-invasive collection device is removed in a manner so as to avoid touching the collecting end. The collecting end is then rubbed against the inside of an individual's cheek for approximately 10 seconds. A slight degree of pressure is applied so as to see an impression of the collecting end on the outside of the cheek. The non-invasive collecting device is then placed in the open preservation unit. This collection step may be repeated so as to collect DNA from the opposite cheek. The collection unit is then sealed and placed in the ambient light protection device. The ambient light protection device must be sufficiently designed so as to block out specific types of ambient light that tend to degrade DNA samples .

When the above noted apparatus and method is properly utilized a DNA sample can be collected and preserved for approximately 80 years. Thus, providing useful information to law enforcement should ever the individual, from whom the DNA has been collected, is abducted or is otherwise missing. The use of a non-invasive collecting device permits a DNA sample to be safely collected and transported.

The preservation unit may also be forwarded to an appropriate laboratory facility for developing, at which point a paper copy of film copy of the DNA may be provided.

To maintain anonymity, an individual set of labels bearing a unique code may be supplied. A processing laboratory may develop the DNA sample while maintaining the true "owner" of the DNA secret. This permits any individual to have their DNA collected while maintaining anonymity. The development DNA may be forwarded by a guardian, or retrieve from a safe deposit box or other suitable storage area, if the individual is abducted or DNA identification would otherwise prove beneficial.

The use of the mail system to maintain anonymity requires the use of a non-invasive manner of collecting a DNA sample. The transportation of invasive instruments is not desirous.

The present DNA identification apparatus and method provides a safe, non-invasive method by which to reliably collect DNA samples. The non-invasive aspect of the present invention permits its use by ordinary people. Moreover, the non-invasive aspect permits the apparatus to be constructed from items that are not likely to cause harm to those either handling the apparatus or using the same.

Another important feature of the present invention is the ability to collect uncontaminated DNA samples in a safe and reliable manner. The present invention is unique in that it contains all of the necessary items to collect a DNA sample in a manner that permits the items to be send in a safe manner to the user, selectively removed and used without contamination and then either retained by the user or sent to a laboratory for anonymous developing. Moreover, the present invention is designed so as to minimize the cost and materials used so as to make the present invention accessible to the vast majority of the population. Although the present invention is explained with respect to identifying a lost individual, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention is applicable to the obtaining of DNA from children or adults and that the DNA may be used to identify an individual, identify evidence has belonging to an individual, identify deceased otherwise unrecognizable body parts or the like. The present invention has particular applicability to the sampling of DNA from children so as to assist in their recovery should they become lost or abducted. This invention may also be used by insurance companies to reduce fraud as well as by military personnel, fire fighters, or the like, that are subject to life threatening situations so as assist in their identification should they become deceased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and the attendant advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the container;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the container with the flap in an open state;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container; Figure 4 is a graphical representation of a cotton swab container; and

Figure 5 is a cotton swab; and

Figure 6 is a graphical representation of an ambient light protection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION QF TJffi DRAWINGS AND OF THE

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention and the preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A container 1 is provided and contains two side flaps 10 and a top flap 9. The container is openable by pulling on the top flap 9 by way of a indentation 6 so as to pull the top flap 9 into an open state, as shown in Figure 3, releasing top flap side portions 7 from their respective restraining devices. Upon opening the top flap 9, an upper surface 2 of the container 1 may be observed. The top surface 2 contains a vertical vial holder 4 and instructions 8. In one embodiment, horizontal vial holder 3 is constructed by cutting the container so as to force an outside edge of the container into the inside cavity 5 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The horizontal vial holder 3 may be made from a separate element disposed within the cavity or it may be made of multiple cut-outs in the container's wall. Although, a single cut-out is shown, two or three cut-outs will function equally as well. The exact construction of the will vary with the size of the vial 17. For, example, if vial 17 is substantially shorter than the length of the container, a blocking piece, not shown, may be used to prevent the vial 17 from slipping through the horizontal vial holder 3. The ability to have the vial 17 securely mounted within the cavity 5 is desirous as it is likely to reduce the chance of breakage . The vertical vial holder 4 is integrally constructed in the upper surface 2 of the container 1 by cutting a circular hole in wedges as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The vertical holder 4, is only utilized once. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a complicated or expensive holding mechanism. Rather, it is preferable to use a simplistic method that ensures adequate results while minimizing cost.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the arrangement of the horizontal vial holder 3, vertical vial holder 4 and instructions 8 may be modified accordingly. The preferred embodiment uses a rectangular shaped container 1. The length of the container 1 is designed so as to safely hold the vial 18. The vertical vial holder 4 is disposed on the top surface 2 of container 1, such that the height of the container is less than the height of the vial 8, as shown in Figure 3. This permits the vial 18 to be placed into the vertical vial holder 4 in an open state such that a bottom of the vial 18 rests against the bottom of the insider surface of the cavity 5. If the container's 1 height is substantially larger than that of the vial 17, a riser or vial holder, not shown, may be installed in the cavity 5.

Container 1 is also openable on two side faces 10 to provide access to the content of the container 1. The container 1 is constructed so as to have an inner cavity 5 of such dimensions so as to permit a vial 18, sanitary gloves, not shown, sanitary non- invasive collection package that may contain a cotton swab 12, an opaque envelope 17, additional instructions and related literature, not shown, to be inserted into the cavity 5 while utilizing virtually all of the available space. The cavity 5 is sized such that the contents are held in place under their own resilient force so as to obviate the need for additional restraining devices and prevent the vial 18 from braking when it is held in the horizontal vial holder 3.

The vial 18 may be made of any suitable material that will not contaminate the DNA sample. A vial 18 made from plastic is preferable, as the likelihood of the vial braking during transit is reduced. The vial 18 must be of suitable size so as to permit the cotton swab 12 to be inserted therein. It is preferable that the cotton swab 12 and vial 18 have a substantially equal length such that when the cotton swab 12 is inserted in the vial 18, the swab 12 may not move back and forth in an axial direction. Vial 18 comprises a main body and a cap, not shown. The cap may be threadedly connected to the main body. An O-ring, not shown, may be placed between the body and cap to prevent vaporization of the fixative solution.

The container 1 is thus designed to not only hold the contents in a safe manner but to also provide a stable base for the vial 18 when it rests in the vertical vial holder 4, as shown in Figure 3. A container that is approximately 5 1/2 inches long, 3 inches wide and 2 inches high as proven to adequately hold the desired contents while supplying an adequate base for the vial 17 when the vertical vial holder 4 is used.

The upper surface 2 of the container 1 permits instructional information 8 to be displayed thereon. This permits the individual collecting the DNA sample to refer to the instructions without the need to turn pages or the like and possibly contaminate the DNA sample.

To use the present invention, container 1 is opened and the contents removed. The vial 18 is removed from the horizontal vial holder 3, opened and placed in the vertical vial holder 4. Sanitary gloves are removed from a sanitary glove container, not shown, and placed on the DNA collector's hands. The cotton swab container 12 is labeled 11 to provide access to the stick end 13 of the cotton swab 12. The cotton swab 12 is held by the stick end and the cotton end 14 is rubbed against the inside surface of a individual's mouth, not shown, in wide circular strokes for approximately 10 seconds. Sufficient pressure is placed in the cotton swab 12 such that an impression of the cotton swab 12 may be seen on the outside of the cheek.

The cotton swab 12 is then placed in the vial 18, with the cotton side 14 down, in the direction of the bottom of cavity 5. The vial 18 contains a fixative solution 19 to fix and preserve the DNA sample.

The collection step may be repeated using a second cotton swab 12 on the opposite cheek of the individual. The vial is then closed.

Informational data is filled out in an informational data section 16 of an opaque envelope

17. The information data may include such information as the individual's name and date of birth, social security number. The individual that collected the DNA may also be identified and the date the collection was taken. In the rare case in which the DNA sample becomes contaminated by the individual that is collecting the DNA sample, the recording of the individuals name will assist in salvaging the sample . The opaque envelope 17 is constructed from a suitable material or in a suitable color so as to prevent ambient light waves that tend to degrade the DNA sample from penetrating the opaque envelope 17 and reaching the vial and DNA sample contained therein. An envelop made from a paper that has been died red has proven sufficient to prevent ambient light from degrading test samples.

The vial and DNA sample may either be stored by the individual who's DNA has been sampled or any person designated thereby. In the alternative, a series of stickers, not shown, with unique serial numbers thereon may be used. Label A is filled out and placed upon the vial that contains the DNA sample. Label B is filled out and used by the laboratory that will conduct the DNA development to return the relevant information. Label C is used by the laboratory to ensure that the test results belong to the given serial number. Label D is retained for the individual's records. The vial, containing label

A, together with labels B and C are sent to a designated laboratory. The DNA sample is developed and the test results are labeled with label C. The test results are placed in an envelope and Label B is applied. It should be noted that the return addresses does not need to be the individual who gave the DNA sample. Thus, complete anonymity is possible.

Should the individual become lost, abducted or is in need of identification, the collected DNA or the developed DNA may be supplied to the relevant authorities to assist in their investigation or identification. Moreover, with runaway children, or the like, parents may submit the collected DNA to the FBI. The FBI has a policy of accepting DNA. The collected DNA may then be used to assist in the investigation of law enforcement.

The present DNA identification apparatus and method is applicable to children and adults alike. It is readily apparent that the above-described has the advantage of wide commercial utility. It should be understood that the specific form of the invention hereinabove described is intended to be representative only, as certain modifications within the scope of these teachings will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

Claims

What is Claimed:

1. A method of DNA collection comprising the steps of: removing a DNA preservation unit from a transportation holder inside of a container; removing a sanitary non-invasive collection device package and a sanitary glove package from said inside of said container; placing said container in a use holder; removing a first sanitary non-invasive collection device from said sanitary non-invasive collection device package with said sanitary latex rubber gloves; rubbing a collection end of said first sanitary non-invasive collection device on an inside of a first cheek of a person to collect a DNA sample on said collection end; and placing said first collection device with said DNA sample on said collection end in said preservation unit.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of placing said preservation unit in an ambient light protection storage device.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: placing an anonymity label on said; and developing said DNA sample so as to produce a tangible copy of said DNA sample.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: removing a second sanitary non-invasive collection device from said sanitary non-invasive collection device package with said sanitary latex rubber gloves; rubbing a collection end of said second sanitary non-invasive collection device on an inside of a second cheek of a person to collect a DNA sample on said collection end; and placing said second collection device with said DNA sample on said collection end in said preservation unit.

5. A DNA identification apparatus comprising: a box with an inside cavity; a DNA preservation unit disposed in a transportation holder disposed in said inside cavity; a sanitary glove and a sanitary non-invasive collection device disposed in said inside cavity; and a use holder disposed in a first side of said box, wherein said holder is capable of holding said preservation unit in an upright state when said box is disposed on a flat surface.

6. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: a flap disposed on an outside surface of said box so as to capable of covering said holder when said flap is in a closed state.

7. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said container comprises a vial.

8. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sanitary non-invasive collection device comprises a cotton swab.

9. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an instructional pamphlet.

10. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cavity is a predetermined size such that when said sanitary glove, sanitary non- invasive collection device, instructional pamphlet and an ambient light protection device are disposed in said cavity and said container is disposed in said transportation holder, said sanitary glove, sanitary collection device and instructional pamphlet are resiliently held within said cavity.

11. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising anonymity labels disposed in said container.

12. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said box comprises said transportation unit and said transformation unit comprises a horizontal holder member.

13. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 15, wherein said box comprises said transportation unit and said transformation unit comprises a plurality horizontal holder member.

14. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an ambient light protection device disposed in said cavity.

15. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said ambient light protection device comprises a red envelope.

16. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said use holder comprises a cut-out region in said first side of said box.

17. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said cut-out region is circular and comprises wedge shaped cut-out portions.

18. A DNA identification apparatus comprising: a box with dimensions of approximately 5 1/2 inches in length, 3 inches in width and 2 inches in height, with an inside cavity, wherein the box comprises a top panel, a front panel and two side panels; a flap disposed on said box such that when said flap is in a closed state said flap covers said top panel and at least a portion of said front panel; a horizontal vial holder disposed in said front panel and said top panel; a vertical vial folder disposed in said top panel, wherein said vertical vial holder comprises a circular cut-out portion with wedge-shaped portions therein; a vial with a vial length disposed in said horizontal holer, wherein said vial length is greater than said height of said container and shorter than said width of said container; a sanitary swab container comprising two cotton swabs, disposed in said cavity, wherein said two cotton swabs have a length approximately equal to said length of said vial; sanitary gloves disposed in said inside cavity; a red envelope, with internal dimensions capable of accommodating said vial when said envelope is in a closed state, disposed in said cavity; an instructional pamphlet disposed in said cavity; wherein said sanitary swab container, said sanitary gloves and said red envelope are disposed in said cavity so as to be retained therein based upon a resilient force resulting from said sanitary swab container, said sanitary gloves and said red envelope.

19. A DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim, 18, further comprising, an instructions disposed on said top panel . 19

20. DNA identification apparatus, as claimed in claim 18, wherein said vial is made from a plastic.