title: An evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction method for forensic applications.
abstract: This paper describes the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplifying small amounts of DNA obtained from samples of interest to the forensic scientist. A region of the HLA DQalpha (DQa) locus was amplified in DNA prepared from the following: hair roots, liquid blood, blood-stains, semen and vaginal swabs (semen free and semen contaminated). A population study was conducted using DNA from 78 unrelated individuals. The observed distribution of HLA DQa alleles varied from that reported for an American population but obeyed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Interpretation problems associated with the PCR technique are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Central Research and Support Establishment, Home Office Forensic Science Service, Reading, Berkshire, U.K.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Westwood
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Werrett
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001801:Blood Stains; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006197:Hair / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012661:Semen / Q000032:analysis; D014621:Vagina / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D004247:DNA