Improving the efficiency of DNA casework analysis through simple, effective, PCR-based screening methods

Techniques that could assess sample quality (degraded versus intact) or easily yield preliminary source information (DNA screening to differentiate victim, suspect, male, female) would allow the laboratory to focus its energy on the most probative case samples. By incorporating informative initial testing into the analytical scheme, the forensic scientist can save time and money by avoiding the analysis of unproductive samples and focusing on those which will yield forensically useful information. This project will expand previous NIJ-funded work (human DNA quantitation using real-time PCR) by creating multiplex assays to determine a simple single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype of the donor or the degradation state of the DNA.

ca/ncf