Dorothy Martus, Kathy Kuebler, Nibedita Mahanti, Lynne Helton, Heather Spillane, Stephen Milligan,
Paul Donald, Donald Yet, and Charles Barna.
Michigan State Police DNA Laboratory, East Lansing, MI

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Chemiluminescence, a nonisotopic method of probe labeling, has gained popularity for labeling Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) probes currently being used in forensic laboratories. The Michigan State Police DNA Laboratory moved to a chemiluminescent approach for RFLP technology because of: 1) shorter file exposure, 2) reduced health and waste issues. With the increase in the amount of chemiluminescent probing performed in our laboratory, the reuse of the probe/hybridization working solution is being evaluated as a possible aid to cost containment. The initial study evaluates the standard probes now in use, (D1S7, D2S44, D4S139, D5S110, D10S28, and D17S79). The probe/hybridization working solution activity was evaluated over one month, at one week intervals. The original probe/hybridization solution is freshened by adding (spiking) with one third of the recommended amount of new probe before reuse. The initial results show no observable loss of sensitivity down to 25ng of DNA. Additional data through one month is being evaluated.