NCJ Number
223104
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2008 Pages: 159-165
Date Published
June 2008
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the validation of a new expert system for forensic DNA analysis, FaSTR DNA, which is suitable for the analysis of DNA profiles from single-source reference samples and from crime samples.
Abstract
In comparing the performance of FaSTR DNA with Gene Mapper ID v3.2 and FSS-i exponent 3, using a range of both singe-source reference samples and crime samples, the FaSTR DNA system was comparable in performance to that of GeneMapper ID v3.2 for single-source samples and superior to that of FSS-i exponent 3 for the analysis of DNA profiles from crime samples. For crime sample profiles, FaSTR DNA was comparable the GeneMapper ID v3.2 while having a number of operational advantages. Use of these two systems in parallel enables two independent "expert" analyses that will increase consistency and save analysis time. When analyzing crime samples, the overall analysis time for a batch of samples was comparable for GeneMapper ID v3.2 and FaSTR DNA, with the latter being slightly faster based on less rules being activated and fewer user interventions required. All three systems correctly identified allelic peaks, and there were no instances of incorrect allele calls or rules that were incorrectly activated for either reference or crime samples. All three systems missed low-level peaks previously scored with GeneScan Analysis v3.7/Genotyper v3.7. Study samples encompassed a range of profiles from "good" to "poor" that might be encountered in forensic work. A total of 1,013 DNA profiles (810 single-source reference samples and 203 crime samples) representing a range of profiles and allele types were selected for evaluation. The single-source references were buccal samples transferred to FTA card on collection. The crime samples consisted of 63 bloodstains, 79 trace samples, 25 semen stains, 16 cigarette butts, 16 single hairs, and 4 bone and tissue samples. 1 figure, 4 tables, and 16 references