title: Automated forensic DNA purification optimized for FTA card punches and identifiler STR-based PCR analysis.
abstract: Forensic labs globally face the same problem-a growing need to process a greater number and wider variety of samples for DNA analysis. The same forensic lab can be tasked all at once with processing mixed casework samples from crime scenes, convicted offender samples for database entry, and tissue from tsunami victims for identification. Besides flexibility in the robotic system chosen for forensic automation, there is a need, for each sample type, to develop new methodology that is not only faster but also more reliable than past procedures. FTA is a chemical treatment of paper, unique to Whatman Bioscience, and is used for the stabilization and storage of biological samples. Here, the authors describe optimization of the Whatman FTA Purification Kit protocol for use with the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit.
authors.affiliation: PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences, Liquid Handling Applications Group, 2200 Warrenville Road, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA. lois.tack@perkinelmer.com <lois.tack@perkinelmer.com>
authors.forename: Lois C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reich
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D053803:Forensic Genetics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D004247:DNA