The internal validation of this genetic analyzer shows that the instrument produces reliable and reproducible data over time and that it does not respond differently to the PowerPlex® 16 HS and Identifiler® Plus amplification kits.
The authors of this technical report discuss their efforts to validate the Applied Biosystems (AB) 3500 Genetic Analyzer with a comparison of the Identifiler® Plus and PowerPlex® 16 HS amplification kits, in anticipation of the Anne Arundel County Crime Lab’s upgrade from the AB310 genetic analyzer. The internal validation of the AB3500 used the manufacturers’ recommended protocols to determine if one had an advantage over the other when used in conjunction with the AB3500. The AB3500 generated full, accurate forensic DNA profiles with both kits, but the AB3500 was able to generate more complete profiles for lower level and mixture samples when using the PowerPlex® 16 HS with an equal amount of target DNA being amplified. The authors suggest that future studies may include manipulation of the amplification cycles with the Identifiler® Plus to improve sensitivity for lower level and mixture samples.