Forensic Science International: Genetics
Volume 5, Issue 4 , Pages 316-328 , August 2011

Low template STR typing: Effect of replicate number and consensus method on genotyping reliability and DNA database search results

  • Corina C.G. Benschop

      Affiliations

    • Netherlands Forensic Institute, Department of Human Biological Traces, P.O. Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Cornelis P. van der Beek

      Affiliations

    • Netherlands Forensic Institute, Department Dutch DNA database, P.O. Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Hugo C. Meiland

      Affiliations

    • Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 1, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Ankie G.M. van Gorp

      Affiliations

    • Netherlands Forensic Institute, Department of Human Biological Traces, P.O. Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Antoinette A. Westen

      Affiliations

    • Netherlands Forensic Institute, Department of Human Biological Traces, P.O. Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Titia Sijen

      Affiliations

    • Netherlands Forensic Institute, Department of Human Biological Traces, P.O. Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +31 708886888; fax: +31 708886555.

Received 12 March 2010 ,Revised 25 May 2010 ,Accepted 24 June 2010.

References 

  1. Westen AA, Nagel JH, Benschop CC, Weiler NE, de Jong BJ, Sijen T. Higher capillary electrophoresis injection settings as an efficient approach to increase the sensitivity of STR typing. J. Forensic Sci. 2009;54:591–598
  2. Gill P, Whitaker J, Flaxman C, Brown N, Buckleton J. An investigation of the rigor of interpretation rules for STRs derived from less than 100pg of DNA. Forensic Sci. Int. 2000;112:17–40
  3. Gill P, Kirkham A, Curran J. LoComatioN: a software tool for the analysis of low copy number DNA profiles. Forensic Sci. Int. 2007;166:128–138
  4. Whitaker JP, Cotton EA, Gill P. A comparison of the characteristics of profiles produced with the AMPFlSTR SGM Plus multiplex system for both standard and low copy number (LCN) STR DNA analysis. Forensic Sci. Int. 2001;123:215–223
  5. Budowle B, Eisenberg AJ, van DA. Validity of low copy number typing and applications to forensic science. Croat. Med. J. 2009;50:207–217
  6. B. Caddy, G.R. Taylor, A.M.T. Linacre, A review of the science of low template DNA analysis, http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/operational-policing/Review_of_Low_Template_DNA_1.pdf, 2008.
  7. Balding DJ, Buckleton J. Interpreting low template DNA profiles. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2009;4:1–10
  8. Buckleton J. Validation issues around DNA typing of low level DNA. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2009;3:255–260
  9. Gibb AJ, Huell AL, Simmons MC, Brown RM. Characterisation of forward stutter in the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus PCR. Sci. Justice. 2009;49:24–31
  10. Caragine T, Mikulasovich R, Tamariz J, Bajda E, Sebestyen J, Baum H, et al. Validation of testing and interpretation protocols for low template DNA samples using AmpFlSTR Identifiler. Croat. Med. J. 2009;50:250–267
  11. S. Petricevic, J. Whitaker, J. Buckleton, S. Vintiner, J. Patel, P. Simon, H. Ferraby, W. Hermiz, A. Russell, Validation and development of interpretation guidelines for low copy number (LCN) DNA profiling in New Zealand using the AmpFlSTR® SGM Plus™ multiplex, Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2009.11.003, in press.
  12. Kloosterman AD, Kersbergen P. Efficacy and limits of genotyping low copy number (LCN) DNA samples by multiplex PCR of STR loci. J. Soc. Biol. 2003;197:351–359
  13. Budowle B, Hobson D, Smerick J, Smith J. Low copy number-consideration and caution. In: 12th International Symposium on Human Identification. Madison: Promega Corporation; 2001;
  14. Budowle B, Onorato AJ, Callaghan TF, Della MA, Gross AM, Guerrieri RA, et al. Mixture interpretation: defining the relevant features for guidelines for the assessment of mixed DNA profiles in forensic casework. J. Forensic Sci. 2009;54:810–821
  15. Budowle B, Bottrell MC, Bunch SG, Fram R, Harrison D, Meagher S, et al. A perspective on errors, bias, and interpretation in the forensic sciences and direction for continuing advancement. J. Forensic Sci. 2009;54:798–809
  16. Thompson WC. Painting the target around the matching profile: the Texas sharpshooter fallacy in forensic DNA interpretation. Law, Probability Risk. 2009;8:257–276
  17. Taberlet P, Griffin S, Goossens B, Questiau S, Manceau V, Escaravage N, et al. Reliable genotyping of samples with very low DNA quantities using PCR. Nucleic Acids Res. 1996;24:3189–3194
  18. Buckleton J, Triggs C. Is the 2p rule always conservative?. Forensic Sci. Int. 2006;159:206–209
  19. Gill P, Buckleton J. A universal strategy to interpret DNA profiles that does not require a definition of low-copy-number. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2010;4:221–227
  20. Curran JM, Gill P, Bill MR. Interpretation of repeat measurement DNA evidence allowing for multiple contributors and population substructure. Forensic Sci. Int. 2005;148:47–53
  21. Gill P, Curran J, Neumann C, Kirkham A, Clayton T, Whitaker J, et al. Interpretation of complex DNA profiles using empirical models and a method to measure their robustness. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2008;2:91–103
  22. Perlin MW, Sinelnikov A. An information gap in DNA evidence interpretation. PLoS One. 2009;4:e8327
  23. Tvedebrink T, Eriksen PS, Mogensen HS, Morling N. Estimating the probability of allelic drop-out of STR alleles in forensic genetics. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2009;3:222–226
  24. Gill P, Puch-Solis R, Curran J. The low-template-DNA (stochastic) threshold—its determination relative to risk analysis for national DNA databases. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2009;3:104–111
  25. http://www.liacs.nl/∼hmeiland/projects/lcstat/period used: may 2009–march (2010).
  26. Williams R, Johnson P, Inclusiveness . effectiveness and intrusiveness: issues in the developing uses of DNA profiling in support of criminal investigations. J. Law Med. Ethics. 2005;33:545–558
  27. T. Hicks, F. Taroni, J. Curran, J. Buckleton, V. Castella, O. Ribaux, Use of DNA profiles for investigation using a simulated national DNA database: Part II. Statistical and ethical considerations on familial searching, Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., doi:10.1016/j.fsig.2009.11.006, in press.

PII: S1872-4973(10)00110-9

doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2010.06.006

Forensic Science International: Genetics
Volume 5, Issue 4 , Pages 316-328 , August 2011

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution