Touch DNA is referring to a source of DNA likely to be from skin cells that are transferred from a person to an object after extended physical contact. Examples of touch DNA items are cigarette butts, some clothing, straws, bottles, cans, etc. DNA analysis can be performed on touch DNA items, and it oftentimes results in robust DNA information.
Brief contact items are unlikely to contain sufficient transfer of skin cells to the object. Examples of items to contain what is referred to as brief contact DNA include door handles, papers, visible fingerprints on a surface, countertops, etc. DNA analysis will generally not be performed on brief contact items at the OSBI laboratories.