A Systematic Review on Commercially Available Integrated Systems for Forensic DNA Analysis

Abstract

This systematic review describes and discusses three commercially available integrated systems for forensic DNA analysis, i.e., ParaDNA, RapidHIT, and ANDE. A variety of aspects, such as performance, time-to-result, ease-of-use, portability, and costs (per analysis run) of these three (modified) rapid DNA analysis systems, are considered. Despite their advantages and developmental progress, major steps still have to be made before rapid systems can be broadly applied at crime scenes for full DNA profiling. Aspects in particular that need (further) improvement are portability, performance, the possibility to analyze a (wider) variety of (complex) forensic samples, and (cartridge) costs. Moreover, steps forward regarding ease-of-use and time-to-result will benefit the broader use of commercial rapid DNA systems. In fact, it would be a profit if rapid DNA systems could be used for full DNA profile generation as well as indicative analyses that can give direction to forensic investigators which will speed up investigations.

On the Application of Microfluidic-Based Technologies in Forensics: A Review

“…Over the last decade, multiple reviews have been published in which all aspects of forensic DNA analysis in microfluidics, spanning from methodologies for individual steps, advantages and disadvantages, potential shortcomings, and perspectives have been detailed [3,161]. In a recent review by Bruijns et al, three integrated systems for forensic DNA analysis, which are commercially available (ParaDNA (Laboratory of the Government Chemist, Teddington, UK), RapidHIT(developed by IntegenX which is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, South San Francisco, CA, USA), and ANDE (developed by NetBio (Waltham, MA, USA))), have been systematically reviewed [162]. Various aspects of these systems, e.g., ease-of-operation, associated costs, time of analysis, and portability are discussed; while the advantages of these systems are prominent, further improvements regarding the possibility of analyzing a wider range of forensic samples and regarding the cost of the cartridges are needed [162].…”

“…In a recent review by Bruijns et al, three integrated systems for forensic DNA analysis, which are commercially available (ParaDNA (Laboratory of the Government Chemist, Teddington, UK), RapidHIT(developed by IntegenX which is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, South San Francisco, CA, USA), and ANDE (developed by NetBio (Waltham, MA, USA))), have been systematically reviewed [162]. Various aspects of these systems, e.g., ease-of-operation, associated costs, time of analysis, and portability are discussed; while the advantages of these systems are prominent, further improvements regarding the possibility of analyzing a wider range of forensic samples and regarding the cost of the cartridges are needed [162]. In another review by Turiello et al, the fully automated microfluidic-based systems for DNA analysis, the so-called, "swab-in-profile-out" have been investigated critically [4].…”

Pilot validation of on‐field STR typing and human identity testing by MinION nanopore sequencing

“…As a typical representative of forensic point-of-care testing (POCT), automatic DNA typing detection technology has long been a focus and challenge in forensic research [13]. Several forensic POCT platforms, such as ParaDNA, ANDE, and RapidHIT 200, have been launched in recent years due to the rapid development of biotechnology [14]. However, the high testing cost is a common concern, and the number of detected samples cannot be selected randomly, which is a serious challenge when analyzing mixed samples and highly degraded test materials.…”

Development of PVA Electrospun Nanofibers for Fabrication of Bacteriological Swabs

“…Swabs are medical devices consisting of a stick and a tip, and they are generally used in several fields, from medical application [1,2] to forensics [3,4] and research [4]. The swab stick can be made of polyester, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or ecofriendlier wood.…”