NCJ Number
225662
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 22-26
Date Published
December 2008
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examined the suitability of a new STR kit with shortened amplicons for the investigation of hair in routine casework.
Abstract
The study found that the sensitivity of the new genRES MPX-2SP kit was inferior to that of the genRES MPX-SP1 kit. This is probably because the new kit allows the simultaneous amplification of nine STR-loci instead of five loci obtained from the genRES MPX-SP1 kit. Further, the additional amplicons amplificated by the genRES MPX2SP kit are considerably longer. By contrast the genRES MPX-2SP kit shows similar sensitivity to the genRES MPX-SP2 kit. Concerning the appearance of artifacts, the genRES MPX-SP1 kit revealed better results than the other two kits used in the study; however, this could arise from the higher number of cycles used for the genRES MPX-SP2 and 2SP kits. Despite the lower sensitivity of the genRES MPX-2SP kit, it has the advantage over the genRES MPX-SP1 kit in its amplification of nine PCR loci in one reaction instead of only five. Thus, only one kit would be required for the investigation of all systems of interest instead of the two previously required, i.e., a combination of genRES MPX-SP1 and SP2. Because the sensitivities of the new kit and genRES MPX-SP2 hardly differ, investigation with the latter is unnecessary. The combination of genRES MPX-SP1 and genRES MPX-2SP kits, or of all three kits used in this study provides a useful strategy for the investigation of telogen hairs in forensic casework. A total of 294 telogen hair roots taken from the authors’ routine casework were investigated. Hair roots with sheath cells or obvious staining were not used. Materials and methods are described in detail. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 10 references