2018 Rapid DNA Maturity Assessment Results

The Rapid DNA Act, which amends the DNA Identification Act of 1994, allows for the integration of rapid DNA instruments for use by law enforcement for DNA testing of arrestees in a booking station environment¹.  Several parallel efforts have been made to integrate the forensic STR analysis workflow and utilize a simple swab in, answer out process within a single platform^2-4.  Of the multiple efforts, three platforms were included as a part of a rapid DNA maturity assessment.  The assessment was conducted with sets of 20 blinded single-source reference samples to examine the success of the current rapid DNA typing technology, specifically for the 20 CODIS core STR loci.  Samples were provided to participants for testing on their rapid platform of choice.  Electropherograms and corresponding allele calls were returned to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for review and further analysis.  Both automated and manual review of the data sets were conducted to assess the success of typing the 20 CODIS core loci.  Genotyping profiles from the multiple platforms, participants, and STR typing chemistries were combined into a single analysis to assess the current maturity of Rapid DNA technology.  The presented results will focus on the genotyping success rate for the 20 core markers, peak height ratio balance, and stutter artifacts across three platforms and STR kit chemistries.

¹Congress.Gov Website. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/510/text. Accessed June 12, 2018

²DellaManna, A., Nye, J.V., Carney, C., Hammons, J.S., Mann, M., Al Shamali, F., Vallone, P.M., Romsos, E.L., Marne, B.A., Tan, E., Turingan, R.S., Hogan, C., Selden, R.F., French, J.L. Developmental validation of the DNAscan Rapid DNA Analysis instrument and expert system for reference sample processing. Forensic Sci Intl Genetics 25 (2016) 145-156.

³Jovanovich, S., Bogdan, G., Belcinski, R., Buscaino, J., Burgi, D., Butts, E. L. R., et al. Developmental validation of a fully integrated sample-to-profile rapid human identification system for processing single-source reference buccal samples. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 16 (2015) 181-194.

⁴Hennessy LK, Mehendale N, Chear K, Jovanovich S, Williams S, Park C, et al. Developmental validation of the GlobalFiler express kit, a 24-marker STR assay, on the RapidHIT System. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 13 (2014) 247-258.