VALIDATION STUDIES OF THE CTT STR MULTIPLEX SYSTEM

Studies were performed to define the typing conditions and evaluate th e forensic applicability of multiplex amplification of three STR loci, CSF1PO, TPOX, and THO1. Results were obtained using the GenePrint STR System (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI) Kit. To determine the utili ty of the GenePrint STR System for forensic casework analyses, the fol lowing experiments were conducted: 1) analysis of mixed body fluid; 2) determination of the sensitivity of detection; and 3) evaluation of r esults from biological samples from casework. In addition, the followi ng simulated forensic conditions were assayed to detect whether or not there may be adverse effects on the ability to type these loci: 1) ch emical contaminant effects on the DNA in body fluid samples; 2) the ef fects on DNA from samples deposited on various substrates; 3) the cons equences of micro-organism contamination; and 4) the effect of sunligh t and storage conditions on the integrity of the STR profiles/DNA. The data demonstrate that STR typing of biological samples exposed to a v ariety of environmental insults yields reliable results and that the a nalysis of the STR loci CSF1PO, TPOX, and THO1 can be applied in a for ensic setting.