title: Linear amplification of target prior to PCR for improved low template DNA results.
abstract: Forensic analysis of genetic material is often limited by the quantity and quality of DNA available for examination. Stochastic effects associated with low amounts of starting template can lead to a reduction in the quality of the result, making interpretation difficult. This paper presents an amplification method to copy target DNA in a linear fashion prior to short tandem repeat (STR) analysis to increase the available starting template without introducing the amplification bias seen in other methods used to increase the sensitivity of PCR. Results show that implementing the pre- PCR procedure allows for greater allele recovery in multiplex STR analysis compared with samples that were not subjected to prior processing.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grisedale
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Daal
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D053803:Forensic Genetics; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Forensics; low template DNA; stochastic effects