Results of the 2018 Rapid DNA Maturity Assessment

Abstract

Three commercially available integrated rapid DNA instruments were tested as a part of a rapid DNA maturity assessment in July of 2018. The assessment was conducted with sets of blinded single-source reference samples provided to participants for testing on the individual rapid platforms within their laboratories. The data were returned to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for review and analysis. Both FBI-defined automated review (Rapid DNA Analysis) and manual review (Modified Rapid DNA Analysis) of the datasets were conducted to assess the success of genotyping the 20 Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) core STR loci and full profiles generated by the instruments. Genotype results from the multiple platforms, participating laboratories, and STR typing chemistries were combined into a single analysis. The Rapid DNA Analysis resulted in a success rate of 80% for full profiles (85% for the 20 CODIS core loci) with automated analysis. Modified Rapid DNA Analysis resulted in a success rate of 90% for both the CODIS 20 core loci and full profiles (all attempted loci per chemistry). An analysis of the peak height ratios demonstrated that 95% of all heterozygous alleles were above 59% heterozygote balance. For base-pair sizing precision, the precision was below the standard 0.5 bp deviation for both the ANDE 6C System and the RapidHIT 200.

Assessing the impact of using conventional swabs on the ANDE 6C arrestee biochip

“…Though initially designed for use in a booking environment with reference buccal swabs, the technology could be expanded for use within the laboratory to expedite the processing of reference samples associated with criminal cases. In 2019, the FBI conducted an internal validation study to this end (data not included) and found that the system, in accordance with what has been previously reported [1], performed at an approximate 85 % success rate. Success, for the purposes of this study, is defined as a profile for which at least the 20 core CODIS loci are detected and correctly assigned by the expert system software [2].…”

Individual Identification with Short Tandem Repeat Analysis and Collection of Secondary Information Using Microbiome Analysis

“…For actual individual identification, statistical analysis should be performed for each gene peak. However, in this study, the number of samples to be confirmed was not large enough for a statistical approach, and the general approach of simply counting the number of matching loci was able to distinguish them from each other [ 27 ]. The urine and gargle fluid samples provided a full profile that could identify individuals.…”

“…Considering that the above results showed a concordance rate of approximately 80% or more, the STR analysis is the best test for human-derived samples. However, only human genetic information can be obtained, and additional environmental or circumstantial information cannot be completely obtained [ 27 ]. As with human DNA, there are no specific marker loci such as STR.…”

Validation of the Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID instrument and ACE GlobalFiler Express sample cartridge

“…The other is the Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID System (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), which was formerly a product of IntegenX (Pleasanton, CA, USA) [ 42 – 46 ]. Previous changes/updates to the RapidHIT ID System instrumentation are the use of different PCR STR typing kits [ 22 – 24 ] and a single sample analysis design [ 14 , 22 ]. In the past few years, the RapidHIT ID instrument has been modified again compared with the previous versions.…”