Forensic DNA: General Tools and Information
Description
A number of general tools are being developed to aid State and local forensic DNA laboratories. Studies have been performed or are ongoing to improve the efficiency of casework, to examine population variation with forensic DNA markers, to evaluate different DNA storage media, to assess capabilities of DNA in ascertaining human pigmentation or time since deposition from crime scene samples, and to examine the costs of blind proficiency testing. In addition, valuable information is being made available to aid forensic practitioners, researchers, and officers of the court through Internet resources such as STRBase (http://www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/strbase/).
Research Projects
The table below presents awards funded both prior to and under the DNA Initiative, which began in 2004.
| Title | Awardee | Amount | Award Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automated Multianalyte Screening Tool for Classification of Forensic Samples | Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc. | 2011-DN-BX-K556 | $996,237 |
| Developing an Empirically-Based Ranking Order for Bone Sampling: Examining the Differential DNA Yield Rates between Human Skeletal Elements over Increasing Post Mortem Intervals | University of Tennessee Knoxville | 2010-DN-BX-K229 | $200,316 |
| Evaluating the Use of DNA and RNA Degradation for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval | University of Tennessee | 2010-DN-BX-K228 | $167,414 |
| Developing a Forensic Resource/Reference On Genetics Knowledge base | Yale University | 2010-DN-BX-K226 | $643,771 |
| Exploring Soil Bacterial Communities for Forensic Applications: A Genomics Approach | University of Connecticut | 2009-IJ-CX-0021 | $20,000 |
| Identification and Separation of Evidence Mixtures Using SNP-Based FISH Techniques and Laser Microdissection | The Bode Technology Group, Inc | 2009-DN-BX-K250 | $320,021 |
| Genome-Wide Forensic DNA Analysis | University of Utah | 2012-DN-BX-K037 | $541,266 |
| Familial DNA Database Search System-Hardware/Software Integration Project | City and County of Denver | 2012-DN-BX-K036 | $447,979 |
| Developmental Validation of a High-Specificity Multiplex Assay for Human Body Fluid Identification | Colorado Seminary, which owns the University of Denver | 2012-DN-BX-K035 | $576,429 |
| Development of Reference Sample DNA Profiling for Databases Using Next Generation Sequencing Technologies | University of North Texas Health Science Center | 2012-DN-BX-K033 | $747,797 |
| Trace DNA from Fingernails: Increasing the Success Rate of Widely Collected Forensic Evidence | Michigan State University | 2010-DN-BX-K224 | $132,046 |
| Effective Long-Term Preservation of Biological Evidence | Bode Technology Group, Inc | 2010-DN-BX-K193 | $353,186 |
| Targeted Non-Destructive Evidence Detection and Collection | Bode Technology Group, Inc | 2010-DN-BX-K191 | $348,175 |
| Molecular Characterization of Trace Biological Evidence for the Optimized Recovery and Analysis of 'Touch DNA' | University of Central Florida | 2010-DN-BX-K139 | $304,657 |
| Identification of Forensically Relevant Fluids and Tissues by Small RNA Profiling | University of Central Florida | 2009-DN-BX-K255 | $328,962 |
| Automated Processing of FTA Samples | General Electric Company | 2009-DN-BX-K187 | $499,967 |
| Application of Raman Spectroscopy for an Easy-to-Use, on-Field, Rapid, Nondestructive, Confirmatory Identification of Body Fluids | The Research Foundation of SUNY | 2009-DN-BX-K186 | $374,395 |
| Predicting the Biological Age of a Bloodstain Donor | The University of Central Florida | 2009-DN-BX-K179 | $300,450 |
| Validation of Highly-Specific Protein Markers for the Identification of Biological Stains | University of Denver– Colorado Seminary | 2009-DN-BX-K165 | $243,427 |
| Automated Processing of Sexual Assault Cases Using Selective Degradation | Paternity Testing Corporation | 2009-DN-BX-K039 | $294,360 |
| Identification and Separation of Same Gender Mixtures of Various Cell Types Using Interphase FISH Techniques and Laser Microdissection | Bode Technology Group Inc | 2008-IJ-CX-K016 | $125,773 |
| Taq Mutants Engineered for Forensics | DNA Ploymerase Technology, Inc | 2008-DN-BX-K299 | $200,621 |
| Development of a DNA-Based Real-Time PCR assay for Identification of Semen, Blood and Saliva | Towson University | 2008-DN-BX-K137 | $170,643 |
| Rapid STR Prescreening of Forensic Samples at the Crime Scene | Midwest Research Institute | 2008-DN-BX-K012 | $498,064 |
| Establishment of a Fast and Accurate Proteomic Method for Body Fluid/Cell Type | New York City, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner | 2008-DN-BX-K011 | $426,080 |
| De-convolution of Body Fluid Mixtures: Cell Type Identification and Single Source Genetic Profiling of Micro-Dissected Cells | University of Central Florida | 2008-DN-BX-K007 | $415,776 |
| Forensic Stain Identification by Real-Time PCR Analysis | Vermont Department of Public Safety | 2007-DN-BX-K149 | $112,481 |
| DNA Profiling of the Semen Donor in Extended Interval Post-Coital Samples | University of Central Florida | 2007-DN-BX-K148 | $271,504 |
| Application of Proteinases for DNA Isolation of Bone Specimens | Indiana University | 2006-DN-BX-K010 | $15,696 |
| Determination of the Age (Time Since Deposition) of a Biological Stain | University of Central Florida | 2005-MU-BX-K071 | $124,753 |
| Improving the Efficiency of DNA Casework Analysis Through Simple, Effective, PCR-Based Screening Methods | Vermont Department of Public Safety | 2005-DA-BX-K003 | $256,000 |
| Graduate Research Fellowship: Bayesian Networks in Forensic Science | North Carolina State University | 2004-DN-BX-K006 | $20,000 |
| Forensic Stain Identification by RT-PCR Analysis | Vermont Department of Public Safety | 2004-DN-BX-K002 | $240,404 |
| DNA Research in Support of Crime Laboratory Improvement | University of Connecticut | 2003-LP-CX-K026 | $2,000,000 |
| Automated STR Mixture Analysis | Cybergenetics Co. | 2001-IJ-CX-K003 | $396,525 |
| SpermPaint Optimization and Validation | University of Virginia | 2000-IJ-CX-K013 | $339,059 |
| SpermPaint Optimization and Validation | University of Virginia | 2000-IJ-CX-K013 | $305,532 |
| Development of New Analytical Buffer Systems for the Separation and Analysis of PCR-Amplified DNA | Ohio University | 1999-IJ-CX-K014 | $113,923 |
| Development of New Analytical Buffer Systems for the Separation and Analysis of PCR-Amplified DNA | Ohio University | 1999-IJ-CX-K014 | $165,278 |
| Forensic DNA Typing Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography | American University | 1999-IJ-CX-0033 | $54,996 |
| Evaluation of New STR Markers for Forensic Analysis | University of Pittsburgh | 1997-LB-VX-0009 | $220,359 |
| Validation of PCR-Based DNA Typing Databases for Forensic Use | University of Texas-Houston | 1996-IJ-CX-0023 | $96,704 |
| Validation of PCR-Based DNA Typing Data Bases for Forensic Use | University of Texas-Houston | 1996-IJ-CX-0023 | $146,704 |
| Development of Criteria for Model External DNA Proficiency | University of Illinois-Chicago | 1996-DN-VX-0001 | $249,621 |
| Development of Criteria for Model External DNA Proficiency | University of Illinois-Chicago | 1996-DN-VX-0001 | $249,926 |
| Isolation and Characterization of Population-Specific Alleles | University of Pittsburgh | 1995-IJ-CX-0008 | $99,677 |
| Isolation and Characterization of Population-Specific Alleles | University of Pittsburgh | 1995-IJ-CX-0008 | $99,965 |
| Estimation of Population Structure Parameters | North Carolina State University | 1995-IJ-CX-0007 | $25,000 |
| Estimation of Population Structure Parameters | North Carolina State University | 1995-IJ-CX-0007 | $26,249 |
Research Articles and Reports
Select a title to view an abstract from PubMed database (National Library of Medicine's) unless a different file type is indicated.
| Title | Authors | Publication | Year | Awardee | Award Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Microdissection as a Technique to Resolve Mixtures and Improve the Analysis of Difficult Evidence Samples (pdf, 96 pages) | Robert Driscoll, MFS ; Dane Plaza, BS ; Robert Bever, Ph.D. | Final Grant Report | 2009 | The Bode Technology Group, Inc. | 2006-DN-BX-K032 |
| Application of Proteinases for DNA Isolation of Bone Specimens (pdf, 35 pages) | Richard C. Li, Ph.D. | Final Grant Report | 2009 | Indiana University | 2006-DN-BX-K010 |
| A real-time multiplex SNP melting assay to discriminate individuals. | Nicklas JA, Buel E. | J Forensic Sci. 2008 Nov;53(6):1316-24. | 2009 | Vermont Department of Public Safety | 2005-DA-BX-K003 |
| Forensic Stain Identification By RT-PCR Analysis (pdf, 130 pages) | Tricia Conti and Eric Buel | Final Grant Report | 2009 | Vermont Department of Public Safety | 2004-DN-BX-K002 |
| Determination of the Age (Time since Deposition) of a Biological Stain (pdf, 85 pages) | Jack Ballantyne | Final Grant Report | 2009 | University of Central Florida | 2005-MU-BX-K071 |
| Demonstration of rapid multiplex PCR amplification involving 16 genetic loci. | Vallone PM, Hill CR, Butler JM. | Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2008 Dec;3(1):42-5. | 2008 | NIST | 2003-IJ-R-029 |
| Demonstration of rapid multiplex PCR amplification involving 16 genetic loci | Peter M. Vallone, Carolyn R. Hilla and John M. Butler | Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume 3, Issue 1, December 2008, Pages 42-45 |
2008 | NIST | 2003-IJ-R-029 |
| Validation of reduced-scale reactions for the Quantifiler Human DNA kit | Westring CG, Kristinsson R, Gilbert DM, Danielson PB. | J Forensic Sci. 2007 Sep; 52(5):1035-43. Epub 2007 Aug 6. | 2007 | University of Denver | 2003-IJ-CX-K104 |
| Forensic science. | Brettell TA, Butler JM, Almirall JR. | Anal Chem. 2007 Jun 15; 79(12):4365-84. Epub 2007 May 17. | 2007 | NIST | 2003-IJ-R-029 |
| Short tandem repeat typing technologies used in human identity testing. | Butler, J.M. | Biotechniques. 2007 Oct; 43(4):ii-v | 2007 | NIST | 2003-IJ-R-029 |
| Multiplex_QA: an exploratory quality assessment tool for multiplexed electrophoretic assays. | Dueler DL, Butler JM. | Electrophoresis. 2006 Oct; 27(19):3735-46. | 2006 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 2003-IJ-R-029 |
| Genetics and genomics of core short tandem repeat loci used in human identity testing. | Butler JM. | J Forensic Sci 2006 Mar; 51(2):253-65 | 2006 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 2003-IJ-R-025 |
| AutoDimer: a screening tool for primer-dimer and hairpin structures. | Vallone PM and Butler JM | Biotechniques. 2004 Aug; 37(2):226-31. | 2004 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| NIST mixed stain study 3: signal intensity balance in commercial short tandem repeat multiplexes. | Duewer DL, Kline MC, Redman JW, Butler JM | Anal Chem. 2004 Dec 1; 76(23):6928-34 | 2004 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| Constructing STR Multiplex Assays. | Butler JM | Methods Mol Biol. 2004; 297:53-66. | 2004 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| The feasibility of external blind DNA proficiency testing. II. Experience with actual blind tests | Peterson JL, Crim D, Lin G, Ho M, Chen Y, Gaensslen RE | J Forensic Sci Jan 2003, vol. 48, No. 1, 32-40 | 2003 | University of Illinois at Chicago | 1996-DN-VX-0001 |
| NIST Mixed Stain Study 3: DNA quantitation accuracy and its influence on short tandem repeat multiplex signal intensity. | Kline MC, Duewer DL, Redman JW, Butler JM. | Anal Chem. 2003 May 15; 75(10):2463-9. | 2003 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| The feasibility of external blind DNA proficiency testing. I. Background and findings | Peterson JL, Crim D, Lin G, Ho M, Chen Y, Gaensslen RE | J Forensic Sci Jan 2003, vol. 48, No. 1, 21-31 | 2003 | University of Illinois at Chicago | 1996-DN-VX-0001 |
| SAMP14, a novel, acrosomal membrane-associated, glycosyl phosphatidylinositol - anchored member of the Ly-6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor superfamily with a role in sperm-egg interaction. | Shetty J, Wolkowicz MJ, Digilio LC, Klotz KL, Jayes FL, Diekman AB, Westbrook VA, Farris EM, Hao Z, Coonrod SA, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. | J Biol Chem. 2003 Aug 15; 278(33):30506-15. Epub 2003 Jun 04. | 2003 | University of Virginia | 2000-IJ-CX-K013 |
| Extraction and analysis of human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from electron beam irradiated envelopes. | Withrow AG, Sikorsky J, Downs JC, Fenger T. | J Forensic Sci. 2003 Nov; 48(6):1302-8. | 2003 | Marshall University | 2001-RC-CX-K002 |
| SLLP1, a unique, intra-acrosomal, non-bacteriolytic, c lysozyme-like protein of human spermatozoa. | Mandal A, Klotz KL, Shetty J, Jayes FL, Wolkowicz MJ, Bolling LC, Coonrod SA, Black MB, Diekman AB, Haystead TA, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. | Biol Reprod. 2003 May; 68(5):1525-37. Epub 2002 Nov 27. | 2003 | University of Virginia | 2000-IJ-CX-K013 |
| Allele frequencies for 15 autosomal STR loci on U.S. Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic populations. | Butler JM, Schoske R, Vallone PM, Redman JW, Kline MC. | J Forensic Sci. 2003 Jul; 48(4):908-11. | 2003 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| A strategy for examining complex mixtures of deoxyoligonucleotides using ion-pair-reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and informatics. | Vallone PM, Devaney JM, Marino MA, Butler JM | Anal Biochem. 2002 May 15; 304(2):257-65. | 2002 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| Effect of sample preparation and pH-mediated sample stacking on the analysis of multiplexed short tandem repeats by capillary electrophoresis. | Crivellente F, McCord BR. | J Capillary Electrophor. 2002; 7(3-4):73-80. | 2002 | Ohio University | 1999-IJ-CX-K014 |
| Polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA from aged blood stains: quantitative evaluation of the "suitability for purpose" of four filter papers as archival media. | Kline MC, Duewer DL, Redman JW, Butler JM, Boyer DA. | Anal Chem. 2002 Apr 15; 74(8):1863-9. | 2002 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| Capillary electrophoresis as a tool for optimization of multiplex PCR reactions. | Butler JM, Ruitberg CM, Vallone PM. | Fresenius J Anal Chem. 2001 Feb; 369(3-4):200-5. | 2001 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| STRBase: a short tandem repeat DNA database for the human identity testing community. | Ruitberg CM, Reeder DJ, Butler JM. | Nucleic Acids Res. 2001 Jan 1; 29(1):320-2. | 2001 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| Genotyping of two mutations in the HFE gene using single-base extension and high-performance liquid chromatography. | Devaney JM, Pettit EL, Kaler SG, Vallone PM, Butler JM, Marino MA. | Anal Chem. 2001 Feb 1; 73(3):620-4. | 2001 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| Linear mixture analysis: a mathematical approach to resolving mixed DNA samples. | Perlin MW, Szabady B. | J Forensic Sci. 2001 Nov;46(6):1372-8. | 2001 | Cybergenetics Co. | 2001-IJ-CX-K003 |
| Temperature and pH studies of short tandem repeat systems using capillary electrophoresis at elevated pH. | Nock T, Dove J, McCord B, Mao D. | Electrophoresis. 2001; 22(4):755-62. | 2001 | Ohio University | 1999-IJ-CX-K014 |
| Quality control of PCR primers used in multiplex STR amplification reactions. | Butler JM, Devaney JM, Marino MA, Vallone PM. | Forensic Sci Int. 2001 Jun 1; 119(1):87-96. | 2001 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | 1999-IJ-R-A094 |
| World population data for the HLA-DQA1, PM and D1S80 loci with least and most common profile frequencies for combinations of loci estimated following NRC II guidelines. | Peterson BL, Su B, Chakraborty R, Budowle B, Gaensslen RE. | J Forensic Sci. 2000 Jan;45(1):118-46. | 2000 | University of Illinois at Chicago | 1998-VB-R-018 |
Date Modified: October 11, 2012
