Assessment of PCR of the D17S30 locus for forensic identification

PCR analysis of the VNTR locus D17S30 was assessed for its potential use in forensic identification analysis. "Allelic drop-out," the inefficient amplification of some alleles, complicates the interpretation of DNA typing at this locus. PCR conditions were varied in an effort to improve amplification of the alleles at this locus. Such changes included the use of denaturants, formamide and DMSO, to overcome any incomplete denaturation of template strands due to GC content or allele size. Lowering the annealing temperature during the PCR cycle enhanced the amplification of a larger fragment, but this was not related to the D17S30 locus. It appears that the structure of the genome of some individuals rendered PCR amplification inefficient at this locus.