ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 12

NIST Mixed Stain Studies #1 and #2: Interlaboratory Comparison of DNA Quantification Practice and Short Tandem Repeat Multiplex Performance with Multiple-Source Samples
Reeder, DJ

Duewer, DL
Analytical Chemistry Division, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, MD

Redman, JW
Biotechnology Division, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, MD

Kline, MC
Biotechnology Division, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, MD

Newall, PJ
Head of Research, The Centre of Forensic Sciences, Ontario

(Received 1 June 2000; accepted 14 November 2000)

Abstract

The Mixed Stain Study 1 (MSS1, Apr.–Nov. 1997) and Mixed Stain Study 2 (MSS2, Jan.–May 1999) evaluated multiplexed short-tandem repeat (STR) DNA typing systems with samples containing DNA from more than one source. These interlaboratory challenge studies evaluated forensic STR measurement, interpretation, and reporting practice using well-characterized samples of very different analytical difficulty. None of the relatively few errors reported in either exercise resulted in a false identification of a reference source; several errors in evaluating the unknown source in three-source samples would hinder matching the profile in any archival database. None of the measurement anomalies reported is associated with any particular STR multiplex; all DNA amplification anomalies are associated with inefficient DNA extraction, inaccurate DNA quantitation, and/or analytical threshold policies.

Keywords:
forensic science, blood stains, DNA fingerprinting, DNA typing, evaluation studies, interlaboratory comparison, polymerase chain reaction, reproducibility of results, semen stains, short tandem repeat (STR) alleles

Paper ID: JFS15121J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15121J
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