Rapid and high-throughput forensic short tandem repeat typing using a 96-lane microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis microdevice

A 96-channel microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis (muCAE) device was evaluated for forensic short tandem repeat (STR) typing using PowerPlex 16 and AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus multiplex PCR systems. The high-throughput muCAE system produced high-speed <30-min parallel sample separations with single-base resolution. Forty-eight previously analyzed single-source samples were accurately typed, as confirmed on an ABI Prism 310 and/or the Hitachi FMBIO II. Minor alleles in 3:1 mixture samples containing female and male DNA were reliably typed as well. The instrument produced full profiles from sample DNA down to 0.17 ng, a threshold similar to that found for the ABI 310. Seventeen nonprobative samples from various evidentiary biological stains were also correctly typed. The successful application of the muCAE device to actual forensic STR typing samples is a significant step toward the development of a completely integrated STR analysis microdevice.     

Performance evaluation of two multiplexes used in fluorescent short tandem repeat DNA analysis

The performance of two commercial multiplex kits that together amplify the 13 core short tandem repeat (STR) loci currently in use by forensic laboratories and the U.S. national Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS) were evaluated. The typing systems examined were AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and AmpFlSTR COfiler (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Electrophoretic separation and detection of the fluorescent PCR products was achieved by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. The studies addressed the on-site validation of the instrument, the software, and each typing system. These studies included instrument sensitivity, resolution, precision, binning, peak height ratios, mixtures, stutter, and the amplification of non-probative and simulated forensic samples. Other additional developmental-type work is also reported herein, such as species specificity testing and amplification of environmentally insulted samples. Amplification conditions were found to be robust and the primer sets shown to be specific to human DNA. Stutter and peak height ratios fell within limits published by the manufacturer and other laboratories. The data demonstrate that the CE instrument can consistently resolve fragments differing in length by one base and that the +/-0.5 base bin used by the Genotyper software is acceptable for making accurate allele calls. Correct typing results were obtained from non-probative and simulated case samples, as well as samples exposed to outdoor environmental conditions. The results support the conclusion that DNA extracted from biological samples routinely encountered in the forensic laboratory can be reliably analyzed with AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and COfiler using CE.     

Evaluation of a multicapillary electrophoresis instrument for mitochondrial DNA typing

Laser-induced detection of fluorescent labeled PCR products and multi-wavelength detection (i.e., multicolor analysis) enables rapid generation of mtDNA sequencing profiles. Traditionally, polyacrylamide slab gels have been used as the electrophoretic medium for mtDNA sequencing in forensic analyses. Replacement of slab gel electrophoresis with capillary electrophoresis (CE) can facilitate automation of the analytical process. Automation and high throughput can be further enhanced by using multicapillary electrophoretic systems. The use of the ABI Prism 3100 Genetic Analyzer (ABI 3100, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) as well as the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer (ABI 310, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) were evaluated for mtDNA sequencing capabilities and compared with sequencing results obtained on the platform currently in use in the FBI Laboratory (the ABI Prism 377 DNA Sequencer, ABI 377, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Various studies were performed to assess the utility of the ABI 3100, as well as the ABI 310 for mtDNA sequencing. The tests included: comparisons of results obtained among the ABI 3100, the ABI 310 and the ABI 377 instruments; comparisons of results obtained within and between capillary arrays; evaluation of capillary length; evaluation of sample injection time; evaluation of the resolution of mixtures/heteroplasmic samples; and evaluation of the sensitivity of detection of a minor component with reduced template on the ABI 3100. In addition, other studies were performed to improve sample preparation; these included: comparison of template suppression reagent (TSR, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) versus formamide; the use of Performa DTR Gel Filtration Cartridges (Edge BioSystems Inc., Gaithersburg, MD) versus Centri-Sep Spin Columns (Princeton Separations, Adelphia, NJ) for product purification after cycle sequencing; and sample stability after denaturation. The data support that valid and reliable results can be obtained using either capillary electrophoresis instrument, and the quality of sequencing results are comparable to or better than those obtained from the ABI 377 instrument.     

Response of short tandem repeat systems to temperature and sizing methods

In capillary gel electrophoresis (CE), changing run conditions such as temperature can result in minor variations in the size determination of an allele. These effects are caused by secondary structure differences that can occur between the amplified sample and the internal standard. The type of method chosen to generate the sizing curve in STR analysis can influence the relationship between estimated allele size and temperature. To better understand the effects of temperature and sizing method on the reproducibility of DNA migration, two fluorescently labeled allelic ladders, CTTv and Y-PLEX 6 were analyzed using the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. The default method on the Genetic Analyzer utilizes an electrophoretic temperature of 60 degrees C and a Local Southern method to generate a sizing curve from the fragment migration times of the internal lane standard. In this work, electrophoresis was conducted at 35-70 degrees C using the commercially available POP 4 buffer at pH 8 and two sizing methods, Global Southern and Local Southern, were compared. The slopes of the regression line between estimated allele size and temperature, using either sizing method, were measured in order to demonstrate the temperature sensitivity of migration time and the importance of the operator-chosen method. Our results indicate that the Global Southern method is a better choice in situations where temperature fluctuations can occur. In addition, the temperature dependence of the DNA size estimates using the POP 4 system were compared to results obtained using an experimental buffer consisting of 3% hydroxyethylcellulose at pH 11. These results demonstrate that secondary structure effects are minimized at an elevated pH, increasing the precision of size estimates obtained.     

Validation of short tandem repeats (STRs) for forensic usage: performance testing of fluorescent multiplex STR systems and analysis of authentic and simulated forensic samples

The amplification and typing conditions for the 13 core CODIS loci and their forensic applicability were evaluated. These loci are CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, vWA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, and D21S11. Results were obtained using the multiplex STR systems AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and AmpFlSTR COfiler (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), GenePrint PowerPlex (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI), and subsets of these kits. For detection of fluorescently labeled amplified products, the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer, the ABI Prism 377 DNA Sequencer, the FMBIO II Fluorescent Imaging Device, and the Fluorlmager were utilized. The following studies were conducted: (a) evaluation of PCR parameter ranges required for adequate performance in multiplex amplification of STR loci, (b) determination of the sensitivity of detection of the systems, (c) characterization of non-allelic PCR products, (d) evaluation of heterozygous peak intensities, (e) determination of the relative level of stutter per locus, (f) determination of stochastic PCR thresholds, (g) analysis of previously typed case samples, environmentally insulted samples, and body fluid samples deposited on various substrates, and (h) detection of components of mixed DNA samples. The data demonstrate that the commercially available multiplex kits can be used to amplify and type STR loci successfully from DNA derived from human biological specimens. There was no evidence of false positive or false negative results and no substantial evidence of preferential amplification within a locus. Although at times general balance among loci labeled with the same fluorophore was not observed, the results obtained were still valid and robust. Suggested criteria are provided for determining whether a sample is derived from a single source or from more than one contributor. These criteria entail the following: (a) the number of peaks at a locus, (b) the relative height of stutter products, and (c) peak height ratios. Stochastic threshold levels and the efficiency of non-templated nucleotide addition should be considered when evaluating the presence of mixtures or low quantity DNA samples. Guidelines, not standards, for interpretation should be developed to interpret STR profiles in cases, because there will be instances in which the standards may not apply. These instances include (a) a primer binding site variant for one allele at a given locus, (b) unusually high stutter product, (c) gene duplication, and (d) translocation.     

DNA typing of samples for polymarker, DQA1, and nine STR loci from a human body exhumed after 27 years

A body was exhumed from the ground after 27 years. Samples of femur bone, tooth, and a fingernail were collected and successfully subjected to DNA extraction, quantitation, amplification, and subsequently typed for DQA1, polymarker, and nine STR loci. All three types of samples were typed for D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S17, D7S820, and amelogenin using ABI Prism 377 DNA sequencer.     

Chelex-100法提取脱落细胞检材DNA的实时定量研究

目的研究脱落细胞检材DNA检验的简便有效的提取方法。方法对76份包括帽子、眼镜、牙刷、剃须刀、梳子、口香糖、羊水在内的7种脱落细胞检材采用Chelex-100法提取DNA,在ABI7500型荧光定量PCR仪上进行定量,同时用Identifiler复合扩增系统扩增,在ABI3130遗传分析仪上进行STR分型。结果从帽子（头套）中获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为8.31ng,眼镜擦拭物上获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为6.20ng,牙刷上获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为49.40ng,剃须刀擦拭物上获得的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为6.92ng、梳子擦拭物上获得的的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为10.68ng,口香糖的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为16.30ng,羊水的脱落细胞DNA平均含量为320ng。以上76份检材性别及10个以上STR位点分型成功率为75.8%。结论从帽子、眼镜、牙刷、剃须刀、梳子、口香糖、羊水等检材提取的脱落细胞可用Chelex-100法提取DNA作STR分型。     

Fluorescent multiplex analysis of nine STR loci: Spanish population data

A total of 171 Caucasians living in Andalucia (southern Spain) have been typed for nine short tandem repeat (STR) loci by multiplex PCR amplification using a commercially available kit (Profiler Plus; Perkin–Elmer, Norwalk, CT, USA) and semi-automatic electrophoresis (ABI Prism 377 DNA Sequencer, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). The kit enables typing of the STR loci D3S1358, VWA, FGA, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D8S1179, D21S11, and D18S51. All loci, except D7S820, meet Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Because of the large number of loci that can be analyzed, the power of discrimination (PD) is greater than 0.99999, and the probability of exclusion (PE) reaches 0.99991 in our population sample.     

微量口腔脱落细胞检材的DNA检验

目的寻求提高微量口腔脱落细胞检材的DNA检验成功率的简便有效的提取方法。方法对不同载体上的100份微量口腔脱落细胞检材采用小体积Chelex-100法提取DNA,在ABI7500型荧光定量PCR仪上进行定量,同时用IdentifilerTM复合扩增系统扩增,在ABI3130遗传分析仪上进行STR分型。结果从25根饮料吸管上提取的DNA量在0.72～116.7.8ng,16个水杯杯缘提取的DNA量在2.15-142.5ng,31个饮料瓶(罐)口提取的DNA量在1～34.65ng,10根筷子上提取的DNA量在3.35～26.6ng,12个果核中提取的DNA量在0.294～21.4ng,6份吃剩的骨头中提取的DNA量在0.88～5.88ng。100份检材性别及9个以上STR位点分型成功率平均为59.38%。除了使用者的个人原因外,检材的提取送检方式、检材的质地、饮料的性质对提取的DNA量有显著影响,是否加蛋白酶K对提取的DNA量无显著影响。结论采用小体积Chelex-100法可对60%左右的微量口腔脱落细胞检材提取DNA进行STR分型。     

Swiss Caucasian population data for 13 STR loci using AmpFISTR profiler plus and cofiler PCR amplification kits.

Allele and genotype frequencies for the 13 core STR loci (D3S1358, VWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, THO1, TPOX, CSF1PO, and D16S539) were determined in a Swiss Caucasian population sample (n = 206) using two commercially available multiplex PCR kits (AmpFISTR Profiler Plus and AmpFISTR Cofiler) and subsequent electrophoresis on an ABI PRISM CE 310 Genetic Analyzer instrument. All loci meet Hardy-Weinberg expectations. In addition, there is little evidence for association of alleles among the 13 loci. The allelic frequency data can be used in forensic analyses and paternity tests to estimate the frequency of a multiple STR locus DNA profile in the Swiss population.     

Maine Caucasian population DNA database using twelve short tandem repeat loci

A population study of Caucasians residing in Maine was conducted using the AmpF1STR Profiler PCR Amplification Kit and the AmpF1STR Profiler Plus PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems Division (ABD) of Perkin Elmer, Foster City, CA). The kits contain the reagents necessary to amplify 12 different STR loci and the gender marker Amelogenin using two multiplex PCR, each containing nine STR loci. Thus, there is an overlap of six STR loci. The 12 STR loci are TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, and D7S820. These loci represent 12 of the 13 core loci selected by the CODIS STR standardization project. Dye-labeled amplification products were separated and detected using the capillary electrophoresis instrument ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. Allele frequencies were determined for the 12 STR loci. Statistical analysis of the data included Hardy-Weinburg equilibrium (HWE) analysis, pairwise independence testing, power of discrimination (PD), and probability of exclusion (PE).     

Population genetic studies on the tetrameric short tandem repeat loci D3S1358, VWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317 and D7S820 in Egypt.

The short tandem repeat loci (STRs) D3S1358, VWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820 and a locus allowing for sex-discrimination (amelogenin) can be co-amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using a commercially available kit (AmpFlSTR Profiler plus, Perkin-Elmer Biosystems, San Jose, CA) and subsequently typed using capillary electrophoresis (ABI Prism 310 Genetic analyzer, Perkin Elmer Applied Biosystems, San Jose CA). To establish databases for these loci for an Arab population sample from Egypt, 140 unrelated persons were typed. Analysis of these data revealed that all loci except for VWA were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, that the combined mean paternity exclusion chance (MEC) was 0.999875 and that the combined discriminating power (DP) was 2.635 x 10(-11). The allelic distributions found in the Egyptian sample were significantly different at four loci from those found for an Austrian Caucasian population, at all nine loci from an African-American sample and at six of six loci from a Chinese sample. No evidence of linkage equilibrium between any of the co-amplified loci was found. Our results support that the combination of multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis can both save time and yield excellent results for paternity testing and stain analysis.     

9个Y-STR基因座荧光复合扩增系统的法医学应用

目的建立9个Y-STR基因座的复合扩增系统,提高Y-STR的法医学检测效能。方法6-FAM标记DYS434、Y-GATA-A10、DYS438、DYS439,HEX标记DYS531、DYS557、DYS448,TAMRA标记DYS456、DYS444引物,PCR复合扩增,毛细管电泳得到结果,考察扩增系统的个体识别能力、灵敏度、特异性、组织同一性。结果所建立的9个Y-STR复合扩增系统分型清晰,单倍型多样性达0.9968,特异性好,灵敏度高(0.5ngDNA),并且在男女混合斑检验上较常染色体STR分型更有优势。结论9个Y-STR复合扩增系统具有较高的识别能力,对建立Y染色体STR数据库,研究群体遗传学和进行法医学混合斑物证鉴定有重要意义。     

Robustness of the Y STRs DYS19, DYS389 I and II, DYS390 and DYS393: optimization of a PCR pentaplex

Various technical methods were investigated with the aim of developing a multiplex system to amplify five Y-chromosome STR loci in the same PCR reaction: DYS393, DYS19, DYS390, DYS389 I and DYS389 II. A sequenced allelic ladder was constructed with previously sequenced alleles including the most common ones. A number of reamplification conditions of the allelic ladders were tested. The pentaplex was evaluated for typing using two different platforms (ABI and ALF) with promising results. However, in degraded samples non-specific artifacts were observed in the DYS393 system in the same range of sizes as the real alleles. This system can also be typed in females under relatively low stringency conditions in the PCR amplification, making this system prone to errors in critical samples. This lack of specificity can be reduced by increasing the stringency of the PCR conditions. The DYS19 ladder cannot be reamplified as stutters appear after a few reamplifications. These stutters are probably due to a 2 bp slippage induced by the presence of a TA repeat stretch in the PCR amplified fragments. Non-specific products were also noted in the DYS389 I and DYS389 II amplification, although out of the range of other alleles in this pentaplex. This newly constructed pentaplex has proved to be very useful in population genetic studies because all five Y STR markers can be loaded in the same lane of a gel with other Y STR singleplex or multiplexes. The usefulness of Y-chromosome STRs in criminal casework is especially evident in analyzing azoospermic individuals.     

一种改良骨骼DNA的提取方法

采用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(简称CTAB)及两次纯化浓缩的方法提取骨骼DNA,利用荧光标记复合扩增、自动毛细管电泳与分型的技术,成功检测到14个STR位点的分型.该方法稳定、结果可靠,为严重降解骨骼DNA的提取提供了一种可参用的方法.     

尿液及尿斑DNA分型的研究

目的研究尿液及尿斑的DNA提取及其检验。方法用Chelex100法及QIAampMiniKit提取尿液及尿斑样本中的DNA,进行PCR扩增及STR检验。结果新鲜的及存放时间在12h以内的尿液样本能得到较好的分型结果;存放2d左右的尿液样本有50%能检出基因型;存放7d及更长时间的尿液样本全部不能检出基因型;尿斑样本的分型成功率很低。结论较新鲜的尿液样本均能进行DNA分型,在法医检案中具有应用价值。     

Reliability of SE33 typing by capillary electrophoresis

A ladder of 24 ACTBP2 (SE33) alleles was separated 175 times by denaturing capillary electrophoresis on an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer using polymer POP-4. The mean standard deviation of fragment size determination was 0.083 bp. Fragments in the whole allelic range of ACTBP2 could be typed with high precision and reproducibility if adjacent fragments differed by at least two nucleotides. The capacity of resolving 1 bp differences was tested by repeatedly running a ACTBP2*14.2/14.3/31.2/31.3 allelic mixture. The 14.2/14.3 fragment pair could be separated in 98%, the 31.2/31.3 fragment pair only in 65% of all runs. Reliable separation of this difficult fragment mixture could exclusively achieved by using POP-6.     

烟蒂DNA分型的研究

目的 研究烟蒂中DNA提取及其检验。方法 用Chelex-100法提取170枚烟蒂样本的DNA,进行PCR扩增及STR检验。结果 除1名志愿者提供的21枚烟蒂外层纸未能检出STR基因分型外,其余烟蒂外层纸均得到分型结果。加入少许烟丝的样本未能检出STR分型,与口唇接触的海绵有时可检出基因型,6个月内的烟蒂可检出小片段基因座。结论 烟蒂能进行DNA分型,在法医检案中具有应用价值。     

TWGDAM validation of AmpFlSTR PCR amplification kits for forensic DNA casework

Laboratory procedures used in short tandem repeat (STR) analysis were subjected to various scenarios that assessed reliability and identified potential limitations. These validation studies were designed as recommended by the Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM) and the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) (17,18). Various DNA samples were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using AmpFlSTR PCR Amplification Kits (i.e., AmpFlSTR Green I, Profiler, Profiler Plus, and COfiler kits), detected with ABI Prism instrumentation, and analyzed using GeneScan and Genotyper software. Data acquired in these studies reinforced an existing body of knowledge and expertise regarding application and interpretation of STR typing in the forensic science community. Consistent STR genotypes were detected in various body tissues and fluids. Inter-laboratory comparisons produced concordant genotype results. Quantitative interpretational aids for DNA mixtures were characterized. Ability of the typing systems to type potentially compromised samples reliably was evaluated. Nonprobative case evidentiary DNA was successfully amplified, genotyped, and interpreted. Potential limitations or cautionary factors in the interpretation of minimal fluorescence intensity were demonstrated. Differential amplification between loci was observed when PCR was inhibited; preferential amplification typically was not. Single AmpFlSTR locus amplification did not offer consistent benefit over AmpFlSTR multiplexing, even in cases of DNA degradation or PCR inhibition. During rigorous evaluation, AmpFlSTR PCR Amplification Kits reproducibly yielded sensitive and locus-specific results, as required in routine forensic analyses.     

不同分型方法的STR分型差异

目的调查不同的STR分型系统之间分型的一致性。方法 10 0例不同个体的DNA样本分别用单位点聚丙烯酰胺凝胶银染法和PowerPlex16System试剂盒对 13个法医学常用STR位点进行基因分型 ,并比较两种不同分型系统间的分型结果。结果 1例样本在D8S1179位点出现了分型不一致的结果 :银染法的基因型为 12 / 14 ,而用PowerPlex16System试剂盒的分型则为 12 / 15。结论不同的STR分型系统可导致不同的基因分型