title: Developmental validation of the ParaDNA(®) Intelligence System-A novel approach to DNA profiling.
abstract: DNA profiling through the analysis of STRs remains one of the most widely used tools in human identification across the world. Current laboratory STR analysis is slow, costly and requires expert users and interpretation which can lead to instances of delayed investigations or non-testing of evidence on budget grounds. The ParaDNA(®) Intelligence System has been designed to provide a simple, fast and robust way to profile DNA samples in a lab or field-deployable manner. The system analyses 5-STRs plus amelogenin to deliver a DNA profile that enables users to gain rapid investigative leads and intelligent prioritisation of samples in human identity testing applications. Utilising an innovative sample collector, minimal training is required to enable both DNA analysts and nonspecialist personnel to analyse biological samples directly, without prior processing, in approximately 75min. The test uses direct PCR with fluorescent HyBeacon(®) detection of STR allele lengths to provide a DNA profile. The developmental validation study described here followed the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) guidelines and tested the sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy, inhibitor tolerance, and performance of the ParaDNA Intelligence System on a range of mock evidence items. The data collected demonstrate that the ParaDNA Intelligence System displays useful DNA profiles when sampling a variety of evidence items including blood, saliva, semen and touch DNA items indicating the potential to benefit a number of applications in fields such as forensic, military and disaster victim identification (DVI).
authors.affiliation: Product Development Group, LGC Ltd., Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3ED, UK. Electronic address: paradna@lgcgroup.com.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blackman
authors.affiliation: Product Development Group, LGC Ltd., Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3ED, UK.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dawnay
authors.affiliation: Product Development Group, LGC Ltd., Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3ED, UK.
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: Product Development Group, LGC Ltd., Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3ED, UK.
authors.forename: Beccy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stafford-Allen
authors.affiliation: Product Development Group, LGC Ltd., Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3ED, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tribble
authors.affiliation: Product Development Group, LGC Ltd., Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3ED, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rendell
authors.affiliation: National Center for Forensic Science, PO Box 162367, Orlando, FL 32816-2367, USA.
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neary
authors.affiliation: National Center for Forensic Science, PO Box 162367, Orlando, FL 32816-2367, USA.
authors.forename: Erin K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: National Center for Forensic Science, PO Box 162367, Orlando, FL 32816-2367, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, PO Box 162366, Orlando, FL 32816-2366, USA.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
authors.affiliation: International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kallifatidis
authors.affiliation: International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendel
authors.affiliation: International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: DeEtta K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Product Development Group, LGC Ltd., Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3ED, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wells
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005289:Ferrets; D053803:Forensic Genetics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013045:Species Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Crime scene; Direct PCR; ParaDNA; Rapid DNA; STR analysis; Triage