Investigative studies into the recovery of DNA from improvised explosive device containers

Apprehending those who utilize improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is a national priority owing to their use both domestically and abroad. IEDs are often concealed in bags, boxes, or backpacks to prevent their detection. Given this, the goal of the research presented was to identify IED handlers through postblast DNA recovery from IED containers. Study participants were asked to use backpacks for 11 days, after which they served as containers for pipe bombs. Eleven postdeflagration backpack regions likely to be handled were swabbed and analyzed via mini-short tandem repeats (miniSTRs) and alleles were called blind. An experimental consensus method was examined in which profiles from all regions were considered, to help identify spurious drop-in/out. Results were correct for all loci, except one that remained ambiguous. The results show that recovering DNA from IED containers is a viable approach for aiding in the identification of those who may have been involved in an IED event.     

Internal validation of the AmplFlSTR MiniFiler kit

Using their five-dye chemistry and mobility modifier technology, Applied Biosystems have developed a miniSTR kit capable of amplifying eight core STR loci and amelogenin with reduced PCR product sizes relative to current commercial kits.In this study, we present the results of some forensic validation studies including the following aspects: sensitivity, performance with simulated inhibition and degradation, analysis of known and non-probative evidence samples and selectivity.