# Dna

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna/379144>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 5, 2006, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna/379144 "2006-11-05T01:43:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2006, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna/379144/1 "2006-11-05T01:43:56Z")

</div>

Okay, last weekend I may or may not have raped and murdered a sixteen year old outside of my house and the police may or may not be investigating me, so I need to know, can they match DNA from urine of poop?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2006, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna/379144/2 "2006-11-05T04:05:50Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=copperwindow]  
Okay, last weekend I may or may not have raped and murdered a sixteen year old outside of my house and the police may or may not be investigating me, so I need to know, can they match DNA from urine of poop?  
[/QUOTE]

ummm, I’m gonna go with a yes on this one.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2006, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna/379144/3 "2006-11-05T04:24:39Z")

</div>

I may or may not have read that DNA can be obtained from feces or urine, but that it is a more difficult process than getting it from saliva, hair, or blood.

That’s just Google links (and a whole lot of “Law & Order”) talking, though, so I could be wrong.

You may or may not want to turn yourself in and hope for lenience from the D.A. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2006, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna/379144/4 "2006-11-05T04:28:37Z")

</div>

[Quantification of Human DNA in Feces as a Diagnostic Test for the Presence of Colorectal Cancer](http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/extract/49/7/1185)

[Molecular Testing of Urine: Catching DNA on the Way Out](http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/46/8/1039)

[Can DNA be found in urine or saliva?](http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/nov2000/974826680.Ge.r.html)

> [@](#):
>
> The simple answer to your question is, yes. Any body fluid or secretion  
> that contains nucleated cells contains DNA that can be isolated and  
> analyzed. Even secretions such as tears and ear wax contain nucleated  
> cells. DNA in urine comes from epithelial cells that line the bladder and  
> ureters. A small number of cells are fluffed off every day, and with the  
> techniques that are available for DNA typing today, especially PCR, DNA  
> profiles can be obtained from a very few number of cells.  
> Sincerely,
> 
> Dale Laux  
> Forensic Scientist

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna/379144/5 "2006-11-05T22:04:13Z")

</div>

\<mod\>

I have corresponded with the OP and he has assured me that no crime has been committed.

Carry on with that understanding.

Rico

\</mod\>