Confirmation of PM typing protocols for consistent and reliable results

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• The Perkin Elmer
• Forensic Forum
• bulletin suggested adding disodium EDTA to post-amplification mixtures for consistent Polymerase Messenger (PM) and DQA1 typing results.
• This modification aimed to enhance the reliability of DNA fragment analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the necessity and impact of adding disodium EDTA to post-amplification mixtures in PM typing.
• To validate the suggested modification for forensic DNA analysis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis and validation of the disodium EDTA addition step in PM typing.
• Evaluation of the additional step's effect on typing PM alleles.

Main Results:

• The standard operating procedures at Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Indian River crime laboratories do not require the addition of disodium EDTA for reliable PM typing.
• The evaluation concluded that the addition of disodium EDTA is not essential under current laboratory protocols.

Conclusions:

• While not necessary for all laboratories, Perkin Elmer's recommendation to add disodium EDTA to PM amplified products before typing has merit.
• Laboratories should carefully consider this recommendation when establishing or revising their PM typing protocols for optimal results.