title: Low-template DNA: A single DNA analysis or two replicates?
abstract: This study investigates the following two questions: (1) Should the DNA analyst concentrate the DNA extract into a single amplification or should he/she split it up to do two replicates? (2) Given the electropherogram obtained from a first analysis, is it worthwhile for the DNA analyst to invest in obtaining a second replicate? A decision-theoretic approach addresses these questions by quantitatively expressing the expected net gain (ENG) of each DNA analysis of interest. The results indicate that two replicates generally have a greater ENG than a single DNA analysis for DNA quantities capable of producing two replicates having an average allelic peak height as low as 43rfu. This supports the position that two replicates increase the information content with regard to a single analysis.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States. Electronic address: simone.gittelson@nist.gov.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gittelson
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States.
authors.forename: Carolyn R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Coble
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D003662:Decision Theory; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Decision theory; LT-DNA; Replication; Value of information