STR primer concordance study.

Over 1500 population database samples comprising African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, Native Americans, Chamorros and Filipinos were typed using the PowerPlex 16 and the Profiler Plus/COfiler kits. Except for the D8S1179 locus in Chamorros and Filipinos from Guam, there were eight examples in which a typing difference due to allele dropout was observed. At the D8S1179 locus in the population samples from Guam, there were 13 examples of allele dropout observed when using the Profiler Plus kit. The data support that the primers used in the PowerPlex 16, Profiler Plus, and COfiler kits are reliable for typing reference samples that are for use in CODIS. In addition, allele frequency databases have been established for the STR loci Penta D and Penta E. Both loci are highly polymorphic.     

The Use of Children as a Tactic of Intimate Partner Violence and its Relationship to Survivors’ Mental Health

Journal of Family Violence - Although prior research has established that intimate partner violence (IPV) often leads to increased depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),...     

Developmental validation of the PowerPlex ESX 16 and PowerPlex ESX 17 Systems

We describe the developmental validation study performed on the PowerPlex^® ESX 16 (European Standard Extended 16) and the PowerPlex^® ESX 17 Systems, part of a suite of four new DNA profiling kits developed by Promega in response to the ENFSI and EDNAP groups’ call for new STR multiplexes for Europe. The PowerPlex^® ESX 16 System combines the 11 loci compatible with the UK National DNA Database, contained within the AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus^® PCR Amplification Kit, with five additional loci: D2S441, D10S1248, D22S1045, D1S1656 and D12S391. The multiplex was designed to incorporate these five new loci as mini- and midi-STRs while maintaining the loci found in the AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus^® kit as standard size. The PowerPlex^® ESX 17 System amplifies the same loci as the PowerPlex^® ESX 16 System, but with the addition of a primer pair for the SE33 locus. Tests were designed to address the developmental validation guidelines issued by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM), and those of the DNA Advisory Board (DAB). Samples processed include DNA mixtures, PCR reactions spiked with inhibitors, a sensitivity series, and 306 United Kingdom donor samples to determine concordance with data generated with the AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus^® kit. Allele frequencies from 242 white Caucasian samples collected in the United Kingdom are also presented. The PowerPlex^® ESX 16 and ESX 17 Systems are robust and sensitive tools, suitable for the analysis of forensic DNA samples. Full profiles were routinely observed with 62.5 pg of a fully heterozygous single source DNA template. In mixture analysis, a range of 52-95% of unique minor contributor alleles was observed at 19:1 mixture ratios where only 25 pg of the minor component was present. Improved sensitivity combined with the robustness afforded by smaller amplicons has substantially improved the quantity of information obtained from degraded samples, and the improved chemistry confers exceptional tolerance to high levels of laboratory prepared inhibitors.     

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.     

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.     

Identification of blood stains and fetal tissue using genetic fingerprinting

Two cases from practical forensic serological investigations which could not be clarified by means of conventional serological methods, but could be resolved on the basis of the DNA finger print technique with oligonucleotide probes are presented. Both the comparison of the identity of the blood sample which had been stored for a long time and the determination of paternity in fetal material in a case of incest demonstrate the enormous possibilities of this method. However, some problems which still have not been resolved at least at present with regard to the evaluation and appraisal of the band patterns are also discussed.