ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 2002
Page Count: 16

Characterization and Validation Studies of Powerplex™ 2.1, A Nine-locus Short Tandem Repeat (Str) Multiplex System and Penta D Monoplex
Townley, AJ
Virginia Division of Forensic Science (VDFS), VA

Pollard, AM
Virginia Division of Forensic Science (VDFS), VA

Early, BE
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), NC

Crouse, CA
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBCSO), FL

Tomsey, CS
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), PA

Freeman, DA
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), NC

Levedakou, EN
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), NC

Amiott, E
Promega Corporation (PC), WI

Kist, FG
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), PA

Konotop, F
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBCSO), FL

Ban, JD
Virginia Division of Forensic Science (VDFS), VA

Gombos, JL
Virginia Division of Forensic Science (VDFS), VA

Lewis, JL
Virginia Division of Forensic Science (VDFS), VA

Sailus, JS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept., NC

Schumm, JW
The Bode Technology Group (BT), VA

McElfresh, KC
The Bode Technology Group (BT), VA

Hockensmith, ME
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), PA

Budzynski, MJ
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), NC

Terwilliger, ML
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), PA

Nelson, MS
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), NC

Damaso, RC
Virginia Division of Forensic Science (VDFS), VA

Ulery, SR
The Bode Technology Group (BT), VA

Sessa, TL
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBCSO), FL

(Received 4 January 2002; accepted 21 December 2001)

Abstract

In order to increase the power of discrimination for human identification purposes, a nine-locus short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex, the GenePrint® PowerPlex™ 2.1 system (PowerPlex™ 2.1) developed by Promega Corporation and a separate pentanucleotide-repeat locus, Penta D, were tested. This megaplex system includes the highly polymorphic loci FGA, TPOX, D8S1179, vWA, Penta E, D18S51, D21S11, TH01, and D3S1358 and may be used in combination with the eight-locus STR multiplex, the GenePrint® PowerPlex™ 1.1 system (PowerPlex™ 1.1) that has been previously developed. Three of the loci, TPOX, TH01 and vWA, have been included in both systems for quality control purposes. As with PowerPlex™ 1.1, PowerPlex™ 2.1 is also based on a two-color detection of fluorescent-labeled DNA products amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and provides a valuable tool for accurate and rapid allele determination. The primer sequences used in the PowerPlex™ 2.1/Penta D system are also presented in this report. To meet the “Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories” (FBI), we tested the efficiency and reproducibility of the PowerPlex™ 2.1/Penta D system by several validation studies that were conducted as a joint project among seven laboratories. Validation tests included concordance studies, sensitivity, and species specificity determination, as well as performance in forensic and environmentally impacted samples. The results produced from these tests demonstrated the consistency and reliability of the PowerPlex™ 2.1/Penta D system.

Keywords:
forensic science, short tandem repeats, PowerPlex™ 1.1, PowerPlex™ 2.1, multiplex, polymerase chain reaction, allele microvariants, DNA typing, forensics, primer sequences, FGA, TPOX, D8S1179, vWA, Penta E, D18S51, D21S11, TH01, D3S1358, Penta D, CSF1PO, D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, D5S818

Paper ID: JFS15443J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15443J
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