Research has found that the helical structure of double-stranded DNA is destabilized by increasing temperature. Above a critical temperature (the melting temperature), the two strands in duplex DNA become fully separated, degrading the DNA. Below this temperature, the structural effects are localized (Driessen et al., 2014). If DNA temperatures are not closely controlled, forensic evidence risks being compromised. TCPs cases address three primary concerns when transporting temperature-sensitive evidence.
Chain of Custody: Consumer-grade coolers can be difficult to lock down, meaning the integrity of evidence can be questioned at trial.
Temperature Variations: Temperature fluctuations and freeze-thaw sequences cause biological evidence to degrade; especially during long transport times.
Cross-Contamination: If not separated by physical barriers, evidence from one container could contaminate another.
Using Phase Change Material (PCM), TCP is providing a safe-proof transportation case formulated to keep temperatures stable in a specified temperature range – including, short, long-term, and temperature-controlled storage; room, frozen and refrigerated temperatures – by absorbing or releasing latent energy. TCP’s lightweight insulated cases are capable of transporting DNA samples while holding -21-degrees centigrade temperatures for many hours. PCMs will precisely maintain the required payload temperature and when stored in insulated reusable cases (available in three sizes), it can safely transport biological evidence at the correct parameters for many hours.
