Journal Published Online: 01 May 1992
Volume 37, Issue 3

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DQα Oligonucleotide Typing on Biological Evidence Samples: Casework Experience

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method of specific gene amplification was used in casework to synthesize millions of copies of the polymorphic second exon of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQα (or DQA1) locus from a variety of evidence samples. The HLA-DQα allelic variants in the amplified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were determined in a rapid non-radioactive test by hybridization to sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes in both the dot-blot and reverse dot-blot formats. This genetic typing system has been subjected to blind proficiency testing; the performance of this test in the analysis of experimentally mixed samples was also evaluated. As of August 1990, over 250 cases have been tested and more than 2000 individual evidence (bloodstains, semen stains, individual hairs, bone fragments, and tissue sections) and reference samples have been analyzed. The first 198 of these cases are summarized in this paper; in 65% of the cases with conclusive results a suspect was included, and in 35%, all suspects were excluded. Individual cases as well as some of the general issues relating to forensic science analysis and this genetic typing system are discussed. The high rate of exclusion reported here combined with the ability of PCR to type old evidence samples suggests the relevance of this genetic test for postconviction review; two cases in which the convicted suspect was excluded are discussed.

Author Information

Blake, E
, Richmond, CA
Mihalovich, J
, Richmond, CA
Higuchi, R
Cetus Corporation, Emeryville, CA
Sean Walsh, P
Cetus Corporation, Emeryville, CA
Erlich, H
Cetus Corporation, Emeryville, CA
Pages: 27
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS11984J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11984J