A Study of the Background Levels of Male DNA on Underpants Worn by Females

This study is the first to examine the background level of male DNA on underpants worn by females in the absence of sexual contact. Here, we examined 103 samples from the inside front of underpants from 85 female volunteers. Samples were examined for the presence of male DNA using NGM SElect and PowerPlex Y23 kits. Only five samples gave a “complete” Y-STR profile, even though 83.5% of our volunteers cohabited with a male. In all cases where a partner reference sample was available, the Y-STR profile matched the cohabiting partner. We have demonstrated that a Y-STR profile is not expected on the inside front of underpants worn by females after social contact alone. The results of this study are informative for evaluating the significance of a Y-STR profile on underpants in cases of alleged sexual assault.     

Long Allele Designations at D2S1338 and D19S433 Loci as Influenced by Various Multiplex STR Kits

European forensic laboratories are replacing the STR multiplex kits with the new generation 16/17 STR kits. This study examines the influence of the new generation kits and the new Applied Biosystems 3500xL Genetic Analyzer on the designation of long D2S1338 and D19S433 off‐ladder alleles. Different allele calls were obtained using the new NGM? (Applied Biosystems) and PowerPlex^® ESI? (Promega) kits compared with AmpF?STR^® SGM Plus? kit (Applied Biosystems). Sequence analysis was used to determine accurate allele designation. The new multiplex kits and the 3500xL Genetic Analyzer improved accuracy of long allele designations. DNA databases worldwide include countless profiles obtained by previous kits. Discrepancies between the new and former technologies may cause failure to detect hits. Discordance is expected due to primer sequence differences between various kits. An additional discordance, occurring in long alleles, independent of primer sequence is reported in this study.     

Validation and implementation of the PowerPlex 16 BIO System STR multiplex for forensic casework

The PowerPlex 16 BIO multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) system contains the 13 CODIS loci (FGA, TPOX, D8S1179, vWA, D18S51, D21S11, TH01, D3S1358, CSF1PO, D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, and DS5S818), plus two pentanucleotide repeat loci (Penta D and Penta E) and the sex-identifying locus. Amelogenin. The PowerPlex 16 BIO System is optimized for use with the Hitachi FMBIO gel imaging systems. A consortium of seven independent laboratories collaborated to perform the studies defined by the FBI standards for performing a developmental validation, including the evaluation of sample concordance, percent stutter determination, nonprobative casework, precision, sensitivity, mixture determination, effect of substrates, the impact of environmental insults, and species specificity. All samples tested for concordance were consistent except for one sample from the Virginia Division of Forensic Science database that displayed discordance at D13S317, a locus whose primer sequence was altered. Stutter values were comparable to those of other STR multiplex systems, the precision was comparable to other multiplexes analyzed by gel electrophoresis, the DNA profiles were unchanged by the substrate upon which the blood samples were placed, and the nonprobative casework samples re-typed for the PowerPlex 16 BIO System were consistent with previous typing results. When greater than 0.125 ng of DNA was placed into the PowerPlex 16 BIO System amplification reaction, a full profile was generated by all laboratories. The mixture study results were comparable to those reported for other multiplex systems, the environmental study demonstrated a loss of larger molecular weight loci when samples were incubated at elevated temperatures for a prolonged period of time, and the only notable cross species hybridization was observed with primate DNA samples. This extensive validation work performed demonstrates that the PowerPlex 16 BIO System provides STR data of a quality comparable with other PowerPlex STR multiplex kits as well as other widely used STR multiplexes and is thus suitable for evidentiary casework analysis as well as database sample profiling.     

The application of miniplex primer sets in the analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains

A new set of multiplexed PCR primers has been applied to the analysis of human skeletal remains to determine their efficacy in analyzing degraded DNA. These primer sets, known as Miniplexes, produce shorter amplicons (50-280 base pairs (bp)) than standard short tandem repeat (STR) kits, but still utilize the 13 CODIS STR loci, providing results that are searchable on national DNA databases. In this study, a set of 31 different human remains were exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, extracted, and amplified with commercial and Miniplex DNA typing kits. The amplification efficiency of the Miniplex sets was then compared with the Promega PowerPlex 16 system. Sixty-four percent of the samples generated full profiles when amplified with the Miniplexes, while only 16% of the samples generated full profiles with the Powerplex 16 kit. Complete profiles were obtained for 11 of the 12 Miniplex loci with amplicon sizes less than 200 bp. These data suggest smaller PCR amplicons may provide a useful alternative to mitochondrial DNA for anthropological and forensic analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains.     

DNATyper^TM15试剂盒的确证试验

目的测试DNATyper^TM15试剂盒的技术性能指标，评估其法医学应用能力。方法制定测试方案，从方法学验证、灵敏度、混合样本、批次间试剂稳定性及批量样本测试、DNA提取方法适应性测试、各类常见检材的测试、稳定性测试等8个方面进行测试。并与Identifiler^TM PowerPlex16剂盒进行比较。结果DNA Typer TM15试剂盒灵敏度较高，批次间性能稳定，对各类案件检材和DNA提取方法具有较好的适应性，具有检验混合DNA样本检测的能力。结论DNA Typer TM15在上述性能指标等方面已经达到国际同类产品的技术水平，可用于法庭科学的检案与建库。     

1483例亲子鉴定STR基因座突变的分析

目的观察和分析PowerPlex18D试剂盒17个STR基因座在云南人群亲子鉴定中的突变现象。方法应用Chelex-100法提取DNA,采用PowerPlex18D试剂盒检测1483例亲子鉴定结论为“肯定”的案例进行基因分型。结果1483例中双亲三联体亲子鉴定1047例．单亲二联体亲子鉴定436例．总共观察到2530次减数分裂。1483例中共观察到24例有1个STR基因座发生突变。在17个STR基因座中观察到11个基因座存在突变现象。结论STR基因座突变是较为常见的现象,应不断积累STR基因座突变数据,选择其他多态性好、突变率低的遗传标记．以保证鉴定结果的准确可靠。     

Uses of the NIST 26plex STR assay for human identity testing

Ongoing work at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology has focused on the characterization of 26 autosomal STR loci for human identity testing. These 26 loci are in addition to the existing 13 U.S. core loci and those found in PowerPlex16 and Identifiler commercial STR typing kits. The amplification of the 26 loci has been optimized for degraded extracts in unique miniplex panels and also for reference samples as a single reaction 26plex assay. A study has been performed comparing genotypes obtained with the 26plex primers to those with miniplex panels for allele drop out and concordance. The forensic utility of the 26plex assay was evaluated for situations where additional loci are beneficial. The utility of this large multiplex was also tested in a case involving DNA extracted from degraded bone samples. The 26plex can serve as a low-cost assay (compared to commercially available kits) useful for both sorting comingled remains and providing additional markers for increased statistical support for samples that require “non-trio” family references for human identification.     

An updated validation of Promega's PowerPlex 16 System: high throughput databasing under reduced PCR volume conditions on Applied Biosystem's 96 capillary 3730xl DNA Analyzer

The PowerPlex 16 System from Promega Corporation allows single tube multiplex amplification of sixteen short tandem repeat (STR) loci including all 13 core combined DNA index system STRs. This report presents an updated validation of the PowerPlex 16 System on Applied Biosystem's 96 capillary 3730xl DNA Analyzer. The validation protocol developed in our laboratory allows for the analysis of 1536 loci (96 x 16) in c. 50 min. We have further optimized the assay by decreasing the reaction volume to one-quarter that recommended by the manufacturer thereby substantially reducing the total cost per sample without compromising reproducibility or specificity. This reduction in reaction volume has the ancillary benefit of dramatically increasing the sensitivity of the assay allowing for accurate analysis of lower quantities of DNA. Due to its substantially increased throughput capability, this extended validation of the PowerPlex 16 System should be useful in reducing the backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples currently facing public DNA forensic laboratories.     

Optimising direct PCR from anagen hair samples

Anagen hairs are in the active growth phase, and when forcefully removed, may contain an intact root or sheathing. The hair root or sheathing is a source of nucleic DNA and can be amplified using direct PCR. Human identification STR kits are optimised to a small range of input DNA for PCR. Anagen hairs are unable to be quantified prior to amplification and can exhibit characteristics of an over-loaded DNA sample when analysed. The aim of this study was to optimise direct PCR for anagen hair sampling. Two separate modifications to the downstream processes were carried out in order to determine the most effective method at minimising PCR artefacts. Decreasing the cycle number from the standard 29 cycles to 27 cycles when using the NGM™ kit displayed the best results for this method. However, decreasing the cycle number may increase allelic drop-out and would be costly for laboratories to perform an in-house validation. Diluting the PCR product during electrophoresis analysis minimises the effects of PCR artefacts in the same way decreasing the cycle number does. Diluting the PCR product is the most cost-effective method and does not increase the chance of allelic drop-out.     

Concordance study between the AmpFlSTR MiniFiler PCR amplification kit and conventional STR typing kits

The AmpFlSTR MiniFiler polymerase chain reaction amplification kit developed by Applied Biosystems enables size reduction on eight of the larger STR loci amplified in the Identifiler kit, which will aid recovery of information from highly degraded DNA samples. The MiniFiler Kit amplifies CSF1PO, FGA, D2S1338, D7S820, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, and D21S11 as well as the sex-typing locus amelogenin. A total of 1308 samples were evaluated with both the MiniFiler and Identifiler STR kits: 449 African American, 445 Caucasian, 207 Hispanic, and 207 Asian individuals. Full concordance between Identifiler and MiniFiler Kits was observed in 99.7% (10,437 out of 10,464) STR allele calls compared. The 27 differences seen are listed in Table 1 and encompass the loci D13S317 (n = 14) and D16S539 (n = 10) as well as D18S51 (n = 1), D7S820 (n = 1), and CSF1PO (n = 1). Genotyping discrepancies between the Identifiler and MiniFiler kits were confirmed by reamplification of the samples and further testing using the PowerPlex 16 kit in many cases. DNA sequence analysis was also performed in order to understand the nature of the genetic variations causing the allele dropout or apparent repeat unit shift.     

广西地区壮族人群17个STR基因座遗传多态性研究

目的调查广西地区壮族人群17个STR基因座遗传多态性,为法医物证鉴定和群体遗传研究提供基础数据。方法收集2624份广西地区壮族人群无关个体样本采用Chelex-100提取样本DNA,用PowerPlex■18D System试剂盒进行PCR扩增及检测,计算群体遗传学参数。结果17个常染色体STR基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律(P>0.05),共检测出235个等位基因,971种基因型,累积个体识别率(TDP)为0.999999999999999,累积非父排除率(CPE)为0.999999772。结论17个STR基因座在广西地区壮族人群中具有较好的遗传多态性,可以用于法医学中个体识别和亲权鉴定,也可用于群体遗传学及法医学研究。     

Quality control of PCR primers used in multiplex STR amplification reactions

Reliable amplification of short tandem repeat (STR) DNA markers with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is dependent on high quality PCR primers. The particular primer combinations and concentrations are especially important with multiplex amplification reactions where multiple STR loci are simultaneously copied. Commercially available kits are now widely used for STR amplification and subsequent DNA typing. We present here the use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) methods for characterization of commercially available STR kits.     

Presentation of a three-banded allele pattern--analysis and interpretation

The Israel police forensic biology laboratory received as an item of evidence in an attempted murder case, a pair of trousers belonging to a suspect. A bloodstain was observed on the trousers and analyzed by STR typing for nine loci using the Promega GenePrint STR silver stain detection kits. The genetic profile defined was found to be identical to that of the victim's at all nine loci. Within this profile a three-banded allele pattern was observed at the D16S539 locus, both in the bloodstain and in the victim's reference blood sample. Confirmation of this phenomenon was accomplished by amplifying the extracted DNA from both the trousers and the victim's blood sample using the PowerPlex 16 kit by Promega and the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus kit by Perkin Elmer, followed by analysis of the amplification products by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI prism 310 genetic analyzer. The same three-banded allele pattern was observed at the D16S539 locus in both specimen and reference DNA, using each of the three kits. Three additional loci located on chromosome 16 (D16S3407, D16S2617 and D16S3082), not employed for forensic identification, were also analyzed and did not show three-banded allele pattern.     

TWGDAM validation of a nine-locus and a four-locus fluorescent STR multiplex system

The Gene Print PowerPlex 1.1/Amelogenin and FFFL Fluorescent STR Systems have been validated following the recommendations presented by the Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM). The PowerPlex 1.1/Amelogenin System supports simultaneous amplification of eight short tandem repeat loci and the Amelogenin gender identification marker. The loci D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, and D5S818 are labeled with fluorescein (FL) while the loci CSF1PO, TP0X, TH01, vWA and Amelogenin are labeled with carboxy-tetramethylrhodamine (TMR). The FFFL Multiplex System is composed of the loci F13A01, FESFPS, F13B, and LPL, each labeled with fluorescein. We have observed no overlap of alleles across loci labeled with an individual fluorescent dye. Samples of each system were amplified and labeled in a single reaction, separated by electrophoresis through a denaturing polyacrylamide gel, and amplified alleles detected using a Hitachi FMBIO Fluorescent Scanner. Alterations from the standard amplification protocols in cycle number and annealing temperature generally produced excellent results. In experiments testing sensitivity as little as 0.2 ng of DNA template could be detected. As expected, different body fluids from the same individuals generated identical DNA profile results. Template DNA derived from blood-strains deposited on a variety of matrix supports displayed robust amplification except for material derived from deposits on wood and Japanese orchid leaves. Mixtures of DNA templates could be interpreted with the minor component present in as little as ten percent of the total sample. Monoplex and multiplex amplifications produced identical amplified allele patterns, indicating that STR multiplex systems save template and increase efficiency in the amplification procedure without loss of quality. Analyses of genotype frequencies in African-American, Caucasian-American and Hispanic-American populations using all twelve loci were used to determine matching probabilities smaller than 1 in 1.14 x 10(8) and 1 in 2658 for the PowerPlex 1.1 and the FFFL Multiplex Systems, respectively. The matching probability achieved with the two systems combined is smaller than 1 in 3.03 x 10(11). The independence of alleles within loci was generally demonstrated by applying the exact test to demonstrate Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. All of the studies performed indicate that the PowerPlex 1.1/Amelogenin and FFFL Multiplex Systems are powerful, robust, and reliable investigative tools that can be used in the analysis of forensic samples.     

Concordance study on population database samples using the PowerPlex 16 kit and AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus kit and AmpFlSTR COfiler kit

Over 500 population database samples comprising African Americans, Bahamians, and Southwestern Hispanics were typed using the PowerPlex 16 and the Profiler Plus COfiler kits. There was only one sample in which a typing difference was observed. An FGA heterozygote profile was observed using the PowerPlex 16 primers, and a single allele FGA profile was observed using Profiler Plus primers. Thus, the extant data suggest that the primers used in the PowerPlex 16, Profiler Plus, and COfiler kits are reliable for typing reference samples destined for use in CODIS. In addition, African American, Bahamian, and Southwestern Hispanic databases have been established for the STR loci Penta D and Penta E. Both loci are highly polymorphic. The application of the product rule is valid for estimating the rarity of a multiple loci profile consisting of these two and the 13 core STR loci.     

Is he or is he not the father?: Pros,Cons effect of following standardized interpretations

Parentage studies in the Lebanese population, which has consanguineous marriage rates ranging from 32% up to 44% and endogamy average of 82%, could be prone to high levels of uncertainty since individuals involved in the parentage dispute may share alleles more than in random mating. Consequently, falsely alleged parents are less likely to exhibit allele mismatches with the child's genotype, in particular when the investigations is conducted in limited conditions such as Duo families and using low STR markers profile sizes. In the present study, ten informative paternity cases showing one mismatch were reevaluated. Different profiles (SGM, Identifiler, PP16HS or ESI 17 kits as well as 24 STR marker combination profile) were used throughout. Also, Duo cases were simulated out of the Trio cases. In several Duo cases, results shifted from non-parenthood to positive parentage conclusions when increasing STR markers from 12 to 16 and/or 24. However, no significant difference in the paternity conclusions could be observed for Trio families when using different profile sizes unless when using the SGM profile. When simulating Duo cases from Trio ones, compromising results were obtained under SGM, Identifiler, PP16HS and/or ESI 17 markers. All compromising cases were resolved under 24 markers. In conclusion, due to the effect of consanguinity and endogamy on the Lebanese population, we recommend the use of 24 STR markers DNA profile for any DNA interpretation, especially when accepting Duo cases requests.     

PowerPlex 21与GoldeneyeTM 20A试剂盒的一致性验证及法医学应用

目的：确认PowerPlex 21试剂盒与GoldeneyeTM 20A试剂盒分型结果的一致性。方法应用两试剂盒对205名北京汉族无关个体血样DNA进行复合扩增,观察19个重叠STR基因座分型的一致性,并统计D1S1656的遗传多态性。结果所有19个重叠基因座分型相同,两个试剂盒的杂合基因座峰高比例差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。D1S1656杂合度为0.878,个人识别率为0.949,三联体非父排除率为0.751,二联体非父排除率为0.506,多态信息含量为0.810。结论 PowerPlex21试剂盒与GoldeneyeTM 20A试剂盒分型结果一致性好,引物设计合理;D1S1656多态性好,可用于人类遗传分析及法医学中的亲子鉴定和个人识别。     

Performance Testing of a Semi-Automatic Card Punch System,Using Direct STR Profiling of DNA from Blood Samples on FTA™ Cards

The 1.2 mm Electric Coring Tool (e-Core™) was developed to increase the throughput of FTA^™ sample collection cards used during forensic workflows and is similar to a 1.2 mm Harris manual micro-punch for sampling dried blood spots. Direct short tandem repeat (STR) DNA profiling was used to compare samples taken by the e-Core tool with those taken by the manual micro-punch. The performance of the e-Core device was evaluated using a commercially available PowerPlex™ 18D STR System. In addition, an analysis was performed that investigated the potential carryover of DNA via the e-Core punch from one FTA disc to another. This contamination study was carried out using Applied Biosystems AmpflSTR™ Identifiler™ Direct PCR Amplification kits. The e-Core instrument does not contaminate FTA discs when a cleaning punch is used following excision of discs containing samples and generates STR profiles that are comparable to those generated by the manual micro-punch.     

多系统联合分析在复杂亲缘关系鉴定中的应用评估

目的对公安部物证鉴定中心自主研发的4种DNA扩增试剂盒在复杂亲缘关系鉴定中的联合应用评估。方法使用公安部物证鉴定中心自主研发的DNATyper TM19C试剂盒、DNATyper TMY29试剂盒、DNATyper TMX19试剂盒和DNATyper TM25试剂盒检测收集的302份复杂亲缘关系样本,并将结果与使用市面上已推广使用的PowerPlex?21 System试剂盒的检测结果进行对比分析,以此评估此次4种研发试剂盒的实用性和可靠性。结果DNATyper TM19C试剂盒、DNATyper TMY29试剂盒、DNATyper TMX19试剂盒和DNATyper TM25试剂盒的检出率分别为95.7%(289/302)、57.4%(70/122)、61.1%(110/180)、94.4%(285/302);对于不同DNA浓度样品的检测,这4种试剂盒的检出情况有一定区别,且以DNATyper TM19C试剂盒效果最好;与只有20个常染色体基因座的PowerPlex?21 System试剂盒相比,DNATyper TM19C和DNATyper TM25这两种试剂盒包含40个常染色体基因座,累积二联体排除率(CPE)大于(1-2.44×10-14),且在样品基因座出现差异时,DNATyper TM19C试剂盒的检测结果为正确分型。此外,DNATyper TM19C试剂盒具有最好的性价比。结论 DNATyper TM19C和DNATyper TM25常染色体检验试剂盒在复杂亲缘关系的鉴定中具有良好的系统效能和经济效应,且与DNATyper TMY29及DNATyper TMX19性染色体检验试剂盒参数兼容,可联合使用,对检验结果进行验证和补充,值得推广应用。