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Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) Assay for Human-Dog-Cat Species Identification and Nuclear DNA Quantification

NCJ Number
240637
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2012 Pages: 290-295
Author(s)
S. Kanthaswamy; A. Premasuthan; J. Ng; J. Satkoski; V. Goyal
Date Published
March 2012
Length
6 pages
Annotation

This paper reports on the development and evaluation of a species-specific (human, dog and cat) nuclear DNA identification assay based on the TaqMan() quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technology that can simultaneously detect and measure minute quantities of DNA specific to either humans, dogs and/or cats.

Abstract

In the United States, human forensic evidence collected from crime scenes is usually comingled with biomaterial of canine and feline origins. Knowledge of the concentration of nuclear DNA extracted from a crime scene biological sample and the species from which the sample originated is essential for DNA profiling. The ability to accurately detect and quantify target DNA in mixed-species samples is crucial when target DNA may be overwhelmed by non-target DNA. The authors have designed and evaluated a species-specific (human, dog and cat) nuclear DNA identification assay based on the TaqMan() quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technology that can simultaneously detect and measure minute quantities of DNA specific to either humans, dogs and/or cats. The fluorogenic triplex assay employs primers and hydrolysis probes that target the human TH01 locus as well as the dog and cat Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) sequences in a species-specific manner. The authors also demonstrate that the assay is a highly sensitive, reliable and robust method for identifying and quantifying mixed-species templates of human-dog-cat origin with as little as 0.4 pg of human and cat nuclear DNA, respectively, and 4.0 pg of dog nuclear DNA. (Published Abstract)