The Elkins lab is a part of the TU Human Remains Identification Laboratory (THRIL) focused on optimizing DNA recovery from human remains and body fluid samples and performing DNA typing using next generation sequencing (NGS). The Elkins lab also applies chemical instrumentation including ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, GC-MS, NMR, color tests, and microscopy to the analysis of drugs and trace evidence and develops PCR high resolution melt assays for the detection of ‘legal high’ plants and foodborne pathogens.
Recent Publications
Klavens, A.; Kollmann, D.D.; Elkins, K.M.; Zeller, C.B. “Comparison of DNA Yield and STR Profiles from Five Regions of Femur and Tibia Long Bones,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2021, doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14657.
Elkins, K.M.; Zeller, C.B. “What is the CURE for limited DNA? A forensic science course focused on NGS,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2020, 2(2).
Ryan, A.L.; O’Hern, C.P.; Elkins, K.M. “Evaluation of Two New Methods for DNA Extraction of “Legal High” Plant Species,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2020, 65(5), 1704-1708. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14478.
Zeller, C.B.; Elkins, K.M. “Simulation of population sampling and allele frequency, linkage equilibrium, and random match probability calculations,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2020, 2(1).
Elkins, K.M.; Fambegbe, I. “Case Studies and Methods for Teaching Professional Ethics for Forensic Science Students,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2020, 2(1).
Bender, A.C.; Faulkner, J.A.; Tulimieri, K.; Boise, T.H.; Elkins, K.M. “High resolution melt assays to detect and identify Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Clostridioides difficile bacteria,” Microorganisms, 2020, 8(4), 561, doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8040561.
Cowan, A.F.; Elkins, K.M. “Detection and identification of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and marijuana (Cannabis sativa) by a real-time PCR high resolution melt duplex assay,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2020, 65, 52-60.doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14167.
Elkins, K.M. “Nuclear Forensics: History, Selected Cases, Curriculum, Internship and Training Opportunities and Expert Witness Testimony,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2019, 1(1).
Kiesel, B.; Elkins, K.M. “Development of a PCR high resolution melt assay for Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) and a triplex assay with two additional “legal high” species Datura stramonium (jimson weed) and Merremia tuberosa (Hawaiian woodrose),”Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2019, 64, 1817-1822. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14093.
Cowan, A.F.; Elkins, K.M. “Detection and identification of Psilocybe cubensis DNA using a real-time polymerase chain reaction high resolution melt (PCR-HRM) assay,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2018, 63, 1500-1505. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13714.
Elkins, K.M.; Perez, A.C.U.; Quinn, A.A. “Simultaneous identification of four “legal high” plant species in a multiplex PCR high resolution melt assay,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2017, 62, 593-601. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13321.
Quinn, A.A.; Elkins, K.M. “Analysis of ATR FT-IR Spectra to Differentiate Menstrual and Venous Blood on Various Substrates,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2017, 62, 197-204. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13250.
Eychner, A.M.; Schott, K.M.; Elkins, K.M. “Assessing DNA Recovery from Chewing Gum,” Medicine, Science and the Law, 2017, 1, 7-11. doi: 10.1177/0025802416676413.
Elkins, K.M.; Weghorst, A.; Quinn, A.A.; Acharya, S. “Color Quantitation for Chemical Spot Tests for a Controlled Substances Presumptive Test Database,” Drug Testing and Analysis, 2017, 9, 306-310. doi: 10.1002/dta.1949.
Elkins, K.M.; Perez, A.C.U.; Sweetin, K.C. “Rapid and inexpensive species differentiation using a multiplex real-time PCR high resolution melt (HRM) assay,” Analytical Biochemistry, 2016, 500, 15-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2016.01.013.
Eychner, A.M.; Lebo, R.J.; Elkins, K.M., “Comparison of proteases in DNA extraction via qPCR,” Analytical Biochemistry, 2015, 478, 128-130. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2014.08.030
Krummel, J.N.; Russell, L.N.; Haase, D.N.; Schelble, S.M.; Tsai, E.; Elkins, K.M. “Application of High-field NMR Spectroscopy for Differentiating Cathinones for Forensic Identification,” Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal, 2015, 5, http://publish.wm.edu/caaurj/vol5/iss1/1/