Advancing 21st Century Forensics

Applied Biosystems has announced a new generation of forensic DNA kits with chemistry reagents designed to address the increasing challenges facing 21st century forensic laboratories. The new AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® Direct, Identifiler Plus and NGM™ PCR amplification kits provide new levels of performance, efficiency and data quality, enabling faster recovery of more DNA from a wider range of samples.

Today’s forensic DNA laboratories are expected to provide efficient, high quality results from samples that are increasing in quantity and complexity. The Identifiler Direct kit eliminates the DNA extraction and purification steps for single source samples on standard FTA® cards, dramatically simplifying the processing workflow and automation requirements, as well as accelerating testing by as much as 30%.

Many forensic laboratories now have to process more samples that contain low levels of DNA, have multiple contributors, are degraded or contain substances that inhibit PCR reactions. To address this challenge, Applied Biosystems has developed the Identifiler Plus kit, which applies next-generation PCR amplification technology to provide enhanced sensitivity, improved performance on mixtures and the ability to overcome high levels of PCR inhibitors.

In European Union countries, forensic DNA laboratories face these same challenges, but are also striving to implement routine cross-border data exchange.

To meet this need, Applied Biosystems has developed the NGM™ (Next Generation Multiplex) kit, which includes the five new genetic markers, recommended by the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and the European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) to provide powerful discrimination and support cross-border data sharing initiatives. This new kit also provides the highest level of data quality and robustness, for improved recovery of results from challenging samples.