Validation of a 21-locus autosomal SNP multiplex for forensic identification purposes

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) multiplex has been developed to analyse highly degraded and low copy number (LCN) DNA template, i.e. <100 pg, for scenarios including mass disaster identification. The multiplex consists of 20 autosomal non-coding loci plus Amelogenin for sex determination, amplified in a single tube PCR reaction and visualised on the Applied Biosystems 3100 capillary electrophoresis (CE) system. Allele-specific primers tailed with shared universal tag sequences were designed to speed multiplex design and balance the amplification efficiencies of all loci through the use of a single reverse and two differentially labelled allele denoting forward universal primers. As the multiplex is intended for use with samples too degraded for conventional profiling, a computer program was specifically developed to aid interpretation. Critical factors taken into account by the software include empirically determined extremes of heterozygous imbalance (Hb) and the drop-out threshold (Ht) defined as the maximum peak height of a surviving heterozygous allele, where its partner may have dropped out. The discrimination power of the system is estimated at 1 in 4.5 million, using a White Caucasian population database. Comparisons using artificially degraded samples profiled with both the SNP multiplex and AMPFISTR SGM plus (Applied Biosystems) demonstrated a greater likelihood of obtaining a profile using SNPs for certain sample types. Saliva stains degraded for 147 days generated an 81% complete SNP profile whilst short tandem repeats (STRs) were only 18% complete; similarly blood degraded for 243 days produced full SNP profiles but only 9% with STRs. Reproducibility studies showed concordance between SNP profiles for different sample types, such as blood, saliva, semen and hairs, for the same individual, both within and between different DNA extracts.     

WINNING ESSAY: 1998 LAW SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST

Courts are frequently confronted with children who, regardless of court orders, refuse to visit their noncustodial parents. This article examines the possible alternatives to holding a child, or parent, in contempt for such behavior. Furthermore, solutions and ideas that better serve the needs of children and parents in these highly volatile family situations will also be explored .     

History, War, and the Future

This article aims to delineate several issues raised by an historically based approach to understanding the present and the future. Beginning with a discussion of the profound impact that drastic changes have had on the international environment, the article then outlines what history suggests about human nature's influence on the course of future events; the future of war; the nature of governance and the United States. This essay does not attempt to provide answers, but rather suggests how policy makers, strategists, and military leaders might think through the complex political and cultural questions they need to be asking in the making of strategy. This is the essential first step for Americans. If they fail to ask the right questions, most answers will prove irrelevant to the challenges of the future.     

What does Brexit Tell Us about Our Understanding of European Identity?

This paper reports on a number of Eurobarometer surveys undertaken by the European Commission as a way of reflecting on Brexit and the challenges it poses to European identity. Our work with the surveys has been undertaken in the context of developing an educational game (RU EU?) which will explore European identity. European citizenship and identity have been strongly promoted by the EU but, while they appear to have been accepted at an elite level, the EU—and the UK in particular—have so far not constructed a narrative which has been supported by ‘ordinary’ citizens. Brexit has therefore exposed the failings of European elites in this regard. That said, there is some evidence that the complexities of Brexit have led to a strengthening of European identity in the other EU 27 countries.