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Validation of Multiplex STR Profiling for Forensic Casework SpecimensMarcia T. Eisenberg1, PhD, Meghan E. Clement1, MS, Anita Matthews1,
MS Sanjay Sharma1, BS, Edward G. Carden1, BS and Bruce S. Weir, PhD2
The use of Short Tandem Repeats (STR) has been introduced as a means of examining biological evidence in the forensic community. Each of the STR loci evaluated are composed of 3-7 base pair repeats and can be amplified using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Because of the small size of the STR alleles (usually less than 350 bp) they are useful in the analysis of small or degraded samples which are frequently encountered in forensic casework. The ability to simultaneously amplify several STR loci in a single amplification reaction allows an analyst to obtain multi-allelic information and hence, greater discrimination, from a very small amount of DNA. The forensic multiplex we have examined combines the STR loci CSF1PO, TPOX and HUMTHO1. The localization of these loci is on chromosome 5, 2 and 11 respectively and the variation in the number of alleles ranges from 5-10 alleles per locus. The product sizes of each loci fall into three (3) non-overlapping size ranges and are separated using a 9% tris-sulfate polyacrylamide gel and visualized by Sybr Green fluorescent staining. Statistical analysis of these loci show no evidence of departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Results of the parameter evaluations, as well as validation studies and statistical information will be presented. Go to proceedings home page
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