A Large-scale Dataset of Single and Mixed-source Short Tandem Repeat Profiles To Inform Human Identification Strategies: PROVEDIt

• NCJ Number: 253119
• Journal: Forensic Science International: Genetics Issue: 32 Dated: January 2018 Pages: 62-70
• Author(s): Lauren. E. Alfonse; Amanda D. Garrett; Desmond S. Lun; Ken R. Duffy; Catherine M. Grgicak
• Date Published: January 2018
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-DN-BX-K558
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Low-template DNA mixture interpretation: Determining the number of contributors

Annotation

In order to facilitate advancement in Short Tandem Repeat (STR) interpretation challenges, this project provided over 25,000 multiplex STR profiles produced from one to five known individuals at target levels ranging from one to 160 copies of DNA.

Abstract

DNA-based human identity testing is conducted by comparison of PCR-amplified polymorphic STR motifs from a known source with the STR profiles obtained from uncertain sources. Samples such as those found at crime scenes often result in a signal that is a composite of incomplete STR profiles from an unknown number of unknown contributors, making interpretation an arduous task. The data for the current study were generated under 144 laboratory conditions and were classified by total copy number and contributor proportions. For the 70 percent of samples that were synthetically compromised, the project reports the level of DNA damage using quantitative and end-point PCR. In addition, it characterized the complexity of the signal by exploring the number of detected alleles in each profile. (publisher abstract modified)