Comparison of STR loci profiles obtained from extracted FTA discs using different DNA polymerases

Six commercially available DNA polymerases together with their respective buffers were compared as to their ability to generate profiles of commonly used short tandem repeat loci. Extracted FTA paper discs were used in two fluorescent multiplex PCRs containing the same number of units of DNA polymerase to amplify 21 STR loci and the resultant alleles were visualized after electrophoresis on a capillary sequencer. Significant differences were observed upon comparing the profiles: one polymerase failed to amplify larger alleles and presence of additional peaks varied according to the enzyme used. The use of hot-start polymerases did not affect the quality of the resultant profiles in this comparison.