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Department of Forensic Biology

Forensic Biology Protocols for Forensic STR Analysis

This manual contains individual procedures and protocols pertaining to Nuclear DNA testing of biological specimens. They are organized based on each step of the DNA testing process.

Procedures on this page are effective as of June 20, 2016 and later. The dates effective are shown as MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY in the file name.

Note: The most current manual in each section is the first link listed.

Click or press the enter key on any topic below to access the relevant PDF file of the associated procedure.

General Guidelines for Forensic Biology and DNA Casework

Extraction Procedures

Automated DNAIQ Extraction from Bloodstains and Other Casework Samples

Differential Extraction from Semen Stains or Swabs Utilizing the QIAcube and EZ1

DNA Extraction of Bone Samples

DNA Extraction of Hair

Examination and Direct Lysis Procedure for Cartridge Casings

Extraction of Exogenous DNA from Nails

MaxSuite Automated DNA IQ Extraction from Casework Samples

Manual Appendix for MaxSuite Software

Microcon DNA Fast Flow DNA Concentration and Purification

Organic Extraction

QIAGEN EZ1 Advanced XL DNA Extraction from Bloodstains and Other Casework Samples

Qiagen Casework GO! Y Screen of Sexual Assault Stains or Swabs

Reconstitution of Evaporated Extracts

Recovery of Spotted DNA Extracts from Whatman FTA Elute MicroCards

Zygem One-Step Sperm Lysis of Sexual Assault Stains or Swabs

Chelex Extractions

High Yield DNA Extraction

This procedure was retired on 10/09/18.

MagAttract DNA Extraction Procedures

Direct Amplification Procedures

PowerPlex Fusion Direct Amplification of DNA from Buccal Swabs

PowerPlex Fusion Direct Amplification of DNA from Bloodstain Card Punches

Quantitation Procedures

Quantifiler Trio DNA Quantification Kit

Amplification Procedures

Using the Mastercycler X50s

Amplification using the Power Plex Y23 System

Amplification using the Power Plex Fusion System

Amplification using the YFiler System

Identifiler Sample Preparation for Amplification

Amplification using the Minifiler System

Electrophoresis and Analysis Procedures

General Guidelines for Fluorescent STR Analysis

YFiler - Capillary Electrophoresis

PowerPlex Fusion and Y23 - Capillary Electrophoresis

GeneMarker Manual

STR Analysis on the 3500xL Genetic Analyzers

PowerPlex Fusion Ladder, Positive External Control, and Size Standard Appendix

YFiler, Identifiler, and Minifiler References - Allelic Ladders, Controls, and Size Standards

Editing Codes

ReRun Codes

GeneMarker Quality Reasons Index

Manual Appendix for PowerPlex Y23 (3500xL)

Manual Appendix for PowerPlex Fusion (3500xL)

Appendix for PowerPlex Fusion Stutter (3500xL)

Manual Appendix for PowerPlex Fusion (3130xL)

Identifiler Electrophoresis and Analysis on the ABI 3130xl Genetic Analyzer

Minifiler- Capillary Electrophoresis

Genemapper ID Analysis

Genemapper ID Analysis Method Editor Settings

Genemapper ID Default Table and Plot Settings

Genemapper ID Quality Flags

Genemapper ID Troubleshooting Guide

Interpretation and Comparison Procedures

Interpretation of PowerPlex Y23 data run on 3500xL

Interpretation of PowerPlex Fusion data run on 3500xL

STR Results Interpretation - PowerPlex Fusion & STRmix

Additional Interpretations of Y-STR Results and Complex Y-STR Results

Sample Comparisons - Identifiler and YFiler

STR Results Interpretation - Identifiler and YFiler

Reinterpretation of Legacy Data

Statistics Procedures

STRmix v 2.7 Probabilistic Genotyping Software Operating Instructions

STRmix v 2.4 Probabilistic Genotyping Software Operating Instructions

STRmix Glossary

Usage of the "Y-Mixture tool" / "Y-Mix Database Filter"

Population Frequencies for STR's

Forensic Statistical Tool

Paternity and Kinship

DNA View for Paternity and Kinship and Analysis

Kinship and Paternity Analysis

ANDE Rapid DNA

ANDE Rapid DNA

FlexPlex Ladder, PE, and Size Standard

Appendix/References

Appendix

References