Modifications to the full demineralisation processes to optimise DNA extraction from bone segments submerged in Western Australian beach sand

Bone samples continue to be a challenging source of DNA, requiring tailored DNA extraction methods to maximize DNA profile quality. Several modified methods were compared to the current bone method based on updates in the literature. Results showed that increasing the EDTA pH, adding a surfactant and using an alternative DNA extraction buffer were not advantageous over the full demineralization method currently implemented in the laboratory. However, as a result of the modification study, it was observed that shorter incubation periods improved both the quantity and quality of DNA profiles obtained from bones.