Performance of two 17 locus forensic identification STR kits—Applied Biosystems's AmpFℓSTR® NGMSElect™ and Promega's PowerPlex® ESI17 kits

Tvedebrink, Torben; Mogensen, Helle Smidt; Stene, Maria Charlotte; Morling, Niels

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2011.12.006

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Performance of two 17 locus forensic identification STR kits—Applied Biosystems's AmpFℓSTR^® NGMSElect™ and Promega's PowerPlex^® ESI17 kits

Torben Tvedebrink
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7G, DK-9220 Aalborg East, Denmark
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +45 99408860.
Helle Smidt Mogensen
- Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen East, Denmark
- Tel.: +45 35326212.
Maria Charlotte Stene
- Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen East, Denmark
- Tel.: +45 35326216.
Niels Morling
- Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen East, Denmark
- Tel.: +45 35326115.

Received 17 October 2011; received in revised form 21 December 2011; accepted 27 December 2011. published online 24 January 2012.
Corrected Proof

Abstract

We compared the performance of two recently released 17 loci STR multiplexes for human identification: Applied Biosystems's AmpFℓSTR^® NGMSElect™ and Promega's PowerPlex^® ESI17. The comparative parameters were chosen by their relevance in forensic identification and particularly in crime cases. The comparative analyses encompass: amplification ability, heterozygote balance, allelic drop-out, drop-in, stutter analysis and inter-locus balance.

Four DNA profiles were analysed in various concentrations in a serial dilution experiment. The amounts of DNA in the PCR ranged from 3pg to 420pg and were analysed in triplicate using 28, 29 and 30 PCR cycles. In order to compare the kits, aliquots from each sample were analysed with both kits under identical conditions. Furthermore, DNA profiles from 200 reference profiles were analysed using both kits.

The results from the statistical analyses did not indicate any substantial differences of practical relevance between the kits for forensic case work. For all parameters included in this comparative study, the two kits showed no departure from previously observed patterns relative to e.g. the amounts of DNA or amplicon lengths. Based on our analyses, both kits are considered applicable for forensic crime case work.

Keywords: AmpFℓSTR^® NGMSElect™, PowerPlex^® ESI17, Stutter analysis, Heterozygote balance, Allelic drop-out, Artefact analysis