Effects of using the QIAGEN MinElute® PCR Purification Kit on Eight Commercially Available STR Kits - Technology Evaluation

• NCJ Number: 234047
• Author(s): National Forensic Science Technology Center
• Date Published: January 2009
• Length: 5 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: FY2008 Forensic Technologies Center of Excellence

Annotation

This study demonstrated the benefits of including the QIAGEN MinElute PCR Purification Kit into the analysis scheme for forensic samples that contain low quantities of DNA.

Abstract

Specifically, the study evaluated the similarities and difference in capillary electrophoresis signal detection when using the QIAGEN MinElute PCR Purification Kit on amplified DNA obtained from commonly used short tandem repeat (STR) commercial amplification kits. The QIAGN MinElute PCT Purification Kit uses a silica membrane to bind DNA fragments that range in size from 70 bp to 4 kb. Although the DNA is bound to the membrane, impurities such as unwanted primers, salts, enzymes, unincorporated nucleotides, dyes, oils, and detergents flow through the column. Removal of these impurities ensures that more DNA is injected during the electrokinetic injection on the instrumentation, thus increasing the fluorescent signal intensity. This study shows that the QIAGEN MinElute PCR Purification Kit consistently increased the fluorescent signal with the eight evaluated commercial STR amplification kits. This purification kit can be integrated into the laboratory process with little effort for method validation and at minimal costs. Integration of the QIAGEN MinElute PCR Purification Kit into the DNA analysis procedure is a simple, cost-effective method that can be easily implemented by a crime laboratory to increase the sensitivity of DNA analysis methods. The study recommends that each laboratory conduct its own validation to determine the quantity at which the purification yields the best results, since instrument sensitivity will also influence the end results.