ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 2005
Page Count: 11

Characterization of New MiniSTR Loci to Aid Analysis of Degraded DNA
Butler, JM
Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, MD

Coble, MD
Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, MD

(Received 21 May 2004; accepted 14 August 2004)

Abstract

A number of studies have demonstrated that successful analysis of degraded DNA specimens from mass disasters or forensic evidence improves with smaller sized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. We have scanned the literature for new STR loci, unlinked from the CODIS markers, which can generate amplicons less than 125 bp in size and would therefore be helpful in testing degraded DNA samples. New PCR primers were designed and tested for the STR loci D1S1677, D2S441, D4S2364, D10S1248, D14S1434, and D22S1045, arranged into two miniSTR triplexes. All loci show a moderate degree of polymorphism among 474 U.S. population samples tested and were reliable and sensitive to at least 100 pg of DNA template under controlled laboratory conditions and pristine DNA samples. The utility of these new loci were confirmed in comparing the success of the miniSTR assays for typing degraded bone samples while partial profiles were observed with the majority of the samples using a commercial STR kit.

Keywords:
forensic science, DNA typing, degraded DNA, STR, miniSTR, D1S1677, D2S441, D4S2364, D10S1248, D14S1434, D22S1045

Paper ID: JFS2004216
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004216
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