title: A quantitative PCR assay for the assessment of DNA degradation in forensic samples.
abstract: A multiplex quantitative PCR assay has been designed to amplify target sequences of different length, which allows for the assessment of DNA degradation in samples of forensic interest. The targets were chosen to provide quantification and fragment length information relevant to the STR amplification targets commonly used for forensic genotyping. The longer target (nuTH01, 170-190 bp) spans the TH01 STR locus. Although not one of the longest loci used for STR genotyping, it was chosen as a good compromise given the target length limitations on qPCR efficiency with TaqMan detection. The shorter target (nuCSF, 67 bp) was designed in the upstream flanking region of the CSF1PO STR locus. In addition to these human nuclear targets, the assay includes an internal PCR control target sequence to allow for an assessment of PCR inhibition. The assay was rigorously tested on samples with varying amounts of degradation, and the ratio of nuCSF:nuTH01 quantifications was shown to provide a good estimation of the degree of degradation present in a sample. This estimate, along with the internal control for PCR inhibition, provides a valuable tool for post-extraction sample assessment.
authors.affiliation: California Department of Justice Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory, 1001 W. Cutting Blvd., Suite 110, Richmond, CA 94804, USA. Katie.Swango@doj.ca.gov
authors.forename: Katie L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Swango
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Timken
authors.forename: Mavis Date
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Buoncristiani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D017931:DNA Primers; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D015342:DNA Probes; D004247:DNA