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Why is DNA evidence always stored in paper bags instead of plastic?

Sarah Jenkins
Sarah Jenkins
Lead Content Curator · Mar 3, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

I had to look it up, but the answer is apparently moisture. Paper bags are permeable to moisture where as plastic holds in moisture. Anything that is wet goes into paper; anything dry goes into plastic.

81
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#190
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The Short Answer

I had to look it up, but the answer is apparently moisture. Paper bags are permeable to moisture where as plastic holds in moisture. Anything that is wet goes into paper; anything dry goes into plastic. More specifically, moisture promotes bacterial and fungal growth as well as promotes enzymatic activity. Any one of these things can degrade DNA. There's a paper that shows DNA evidence that was dried out compared to just stored has a massive DNA.retrihttps://_URL_0_ rate difference.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Moisture, paper, plastic

This explanation focuses on moisture, paper, plastic and spans 81 words across 6 sentences. The depth is typical for Biology questions (category average: 72 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.

What This Answer Covers

The explanation opens with: “I had to look it up, but the answer is apparently moisture.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.

How This Compares in Biology

Ranked #190 of 500 Biology questions by answer depth (top 39%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why dna evidence always stored in paper bags instead of plastic?

I had to look it up, but the answer is apparently moisture. Paper bags are permeable to moisture where as plastic holds in moisture. Anything that is wet goes into paper; anything dry goes into plastic. More specifically, moisture promotes bacterial…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Biology questions?

This is an above-average answer at 81 words, ranked #190 of 500 Biology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are moisture, paper, plastic.

What approach does this answer take to explain dna evidence always stored in paper bags instead of plastic?

The explanation uses contrasting perspectives across 81 words. It is categorized under Biology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.