Quantitative DNA method in forensic DNA laboratory

Quantification of human DNA in forensic samples is an important step during STR profiling because the STR genotyping is sensitive to the quantity of DNA used in the PCR reaction.This study focuses on the importance of quantification in the entire process of genetic analysis.Two real time PCR platforms were used to compare two commercial kits in terms of DNA quantification.It was found out that accuracy of absolute quantification values in commercial quantification kits is strongly dependent on the construction of calibration curve. Especially low template DNA samples were used to assess whether QuantifilerTM or Plexor® HY System can determinate a minimum quantification value(cut off value)below which STR profiles would consistently fail to be detected. The usage of Plexor® HY System enabled to determine the cut off quantification value more exactly probably due to different molecular background and chemistry used in this kit.Reliability and other issues connected with cut off value are discussed. In order to better understand the relationship between the quantity of DNA and the number of detectable loci series the dilution expexperiment with standard DNA007 was done.