In an effort to overcome the issues associated with bone
samples for decomposed cases, a study was commenced to
develop, validate and implement a method using toenails as the
source material for DNA extraction. Described in this study is
the optimisation of two DNA extraction methods for toenail
material – one organic and one utilising a silica based column
purification. The application of the silica based method for the
extraction of DNA from toenail samples for 30 decomposed
coronial cases, and the comparison to the conventional sample
taken, is also described.