New peer-reviewed study demonstrates human DNA recovery from air using the AirPrep™ Cub Sampler
The field of forensic DNA analysis continues to evolve as researchers investigate new sources of biological evidence beyond traditional surface swabs and visible biological stains.
A new peer-reviewed study by Bibbo et al. (2025), published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, investigated recovery of human DNA from air using the AirPrep™ Cub Sampler ACD220 under a range of indoor sampling conditions. The study contributes to the growing body of research evaluating airborne human DNA (airDNA) as a complementary source of forensic evidence and provides additional insight into factors that influence successful DNA recovery from indoor environments.
Featured Publication
Air DNA forensics: Novel air collection method investigations for human DNA identification
Authors
Bibbo E, Taylor D, Goray M, van Oorschot RAH
Published In
Journal of Forensic Sciences (2025)
View the Publication
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39523482/
Investigating Human DNA Recovery from Air
People continuously release microscopic biological material into their surroundings through skin cells, respiratory aerosols, hair fragments, and other biological particles. These particles may remain suspended in the air before settling onto surrounding surfaces, creating an additional potential source of forensic evidence.
In this study, researchers evaluated recovery of airborne human DNA using the AirPrep™ Cub ACD220 under a range of indoor conditions. The investigation examined how factors including room occupancy, participant positioning, sampling duration, and distance influenced DNA recovery and STR profile generation.
The authors found that occupancy and sampling duration influenced the quantity and quality of recovered DNA, while additional work is needed to better understand the effects of other environmental variables.
Rather than representing a single proof-of-concept experiment, the study contributes to a growing body of research exploring airborne human DNA as a complementary source of forensic evidence.
Two Complementary Air Sampling Approaches
One of the strengths of the AirPrep™ platform is its ability to support different investigative objectives using the same sampling system.
360° Environmental Air Sampling
The standard AirPrep™ inlet continuously samples ambient air from all directions, providing a representative snapshot of airborne biological material present within an indoor environment.
This approach is well suited for:
- Crime scene characterization
- Occupancy studies
- Indoor environmental assessment
- Airborne DNA research
- General forensic air sampling
- Environmental biosurveillance
The Bibbo et al. study utilized this approach to investigate recovery of human DNA under varying environmental conditions.
Targeted Point Air Sampling (TPAS™)
In some investigations, the objective is not to characterize the room as a whole, but rather to determine whether airborne biological material is associated with a specific location.
The optional Targeted Point Air Sampling (TPAS™) inlet enables investigators to direct sampling toward defined areas of interest, including:
- HVAC supply and return vents
- Vehicle interiors
- Packages and containers
- Cabinets and lockers
- Furniture seams and crevices
- Evidence storage areas
- Suspected contamination sources
Together, these complementary sampling approaches allow investigators to perform broad environmental assessment, targeted source investigation, or both within the same investigation.
Designed for Sensitive Downstream Analysis
AirPrep™ systems collect airborne biological particles onto a high-efficiency dry electret filter before recovering collected material using Wet Foam Elution™ (WFE) technology.
The result is a concentrated liquid sample compatible with a broad range of downstream analytical methods, including:
- STR profiling
- qPCR
- Digital PCR
- Next-generation sequencing
- Cell culture
- Other molecular and microbiological analyses
Building on a Growing Scientific Foundation
The Bibbo et al. publication represents another important milestone in the emerging field of forensic airDNA research.
Previous publications have demonstrated:
- Recovery of human DNA from indoor air sufficient for STR analysis
- Investigation of airborne environmental DNA in forensic genetics
- Recovery of DNA from indoor air and settled dust as complementary forensic evidence
Collectively, these studies continue to expand scientific understanding of how airborne biological material may complement traditional forensic evidence collection.
Beyond Air Sampling
Many forensic investigations involve multiple sample types.
InnovaPrep also offers the FluidPrep™ CP Select™ platform for concentrating liquid extracts, surface rinsates, environmental samples, and other low-biomass specimens into smaller analysis-ready volumes.
Together, AirPrep™ and FluidPrep™ technologies provide complementary tools for recovering and concentrating biological material from air, surfaces, and liquid samples.
Learn More
AirPrep™ Air Sampling Systems
https://www.innovaprep.com/collections/airprep
AirPrep™ Cub Sampler
https://www.innovaprep.com/products/airprep-cub-sampler
TPAS™ Targeted Point Air Sampling
https://www.innovaprep.com/products/airprep-forensic-sniffer-inlet
Wet Foam Elution™ Technology
https://www.innovaprep.com/pages/resources-wet-foam-elution
FluidPrep™ CP Select™
https://www.innovaprep.com/products/cp-select
Citation
Bibbo E, Taylor D, Goray M, van Oorschot RAH. Air DNA forensics: Novel air collection method investigations for human DNA identification. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2025. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39523482/
