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Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

DNA Quantitation

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National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

Most PCR-based analysis techniques require the analyst to know the quantity of DNA obtained after extraction. Quantitation is the method used to determine the quantity of "x" in a given sample:

  • Too much DNA used in the analysis can give results that hinder determining the number of people involved or cover up other DNA profiles.
  • Too little DNA may only provide a partial profile.

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