General Tools and Information

Description

A number of general tools are being developed to aid State and local forensic DNA laboratories. Studies have been performed or are ongoing to improve the efficiency of casework, to examine population variation with forensic DNA markers, to evaluate different DNA storage media, to assess capabilities of DNA in ascertaining human pigmentation or time since deposition from crime scene samples, and to examine the costs of blind proficiency testing. In addition, valuable information is being made available to aid forensic practitioners, researchers, and officers of the court through Internet resources such as STRBase (http://www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/strbase/).

Research Projects

The table below presents awards funded both prior to and under the the President's DNA Initiative, which began in 2004.

Sort the table by selecting a column head. Sort multiple columns by holding down "Shift" as you select heads.

Year    Title Awardee Amount Award Number
2008 Development of a DNA-Based Real-Time PCR assay for Identification of Semen, Blood and Saliva Towson University $170,643 2008-DN-BX-K137
2008 De-convolution of Body Fluid Mixtures: Cell Type Identification and Single Source Genetic Profiling of Micro-Dissected Cells University of Central Florida $415,776 2008-DN-BX-K007
2008 Rapid STR Prescreening of Forensic Samples at the Crime Scene Midwest Research Institute $498,064 2008-DN-BX-K012
2008 Establishment of a Fast and Accurate Proteomic Method for Body Fluid/Cell Type New York City, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner $426,080 2008-DN-BX-K011
2008 Taq Mutants Engineered for Forensics DNA Ploymerase Technology, Inc $200,621 2008-DN-BX-K299
2008 Identification and Separation of Same Gender Mixtures of Various Cell Types Using Interphase FISH Techniques and Laser Microdissection Bode Technology Group Inc $125,773 2008-IJ-CX-K016
2007 Forensic Stain Identification by Real-Time PCR Analysis Vermont Department of Public Safety $112,481 2007-DN-BX-K149
2007 DNA Profiling of the Semen Donor in Extended Interval Post-Coital Samples University of Central Florida $271,504 2007-DN-BX-K148
2006 Application of Proteinases for DNA Isolation of Bone Specimens Indiana University $15,696 2006-DN-BX-K010
2005 Improving the Efficiency of DNA Casework Analysis Through Simple, Effective, PCR-Based Screening Methods Vermont Department of Public Safety $256,000 2005-DA-BX-K003
2005 Determination of the Age (Time Since Deposition) of a Biological Stain University of Central Florida $124,753 2005-MU-BX-K071
2004 SpermPaint Optimization and Validation University of Virginia $339,059 2000-IJ-CX-K013
2000 SpermPaint Optimization and ValidationUniversity of Virginia$305,532 2000-IJ-CX-K013
2004 Graduate Research Fellowship: Bayesian Networks in Forensic Science North Carolina State University $20,000 2004-DN-BX-K006
2004 Forensic Stain Identification by RT-PCR Analysis Vermont Department of Public Safety $240,404 2004-DN-BX-K002
2003 DNA Research in Support of Crime Laboratory Improvement University of Connecticut $2,000,000 2003-LP-CX-K026
2001 Automated STR Mixture Analysis Cybergenetics Co. $396,525 2001-IJ-CX-K003
2000 Development of New Analytical Buffer Systems for the Separation and Analysis of PCR-Amplified DNA Ohio University $113,923 1999-IJ-CX-K014
1999 Validation of PCR-Based DNA Typing Databases for Forensic Use University of Texas-Houston $96,704 1996-IJ-CX-0023
1999 Development of New Analytical Buffer Systems for the Separation and Analysis of PCR-Amplified DNA Ohio University $165,278 1999-IJ-CX-K014
1999 Forensic DNA Typing Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography American University $54,996 1999-IJ-CX-0033
1998 Evaluation of New STR Markers for Forensic Analysis University of Pittsburgh $220,359 1997-LB-VX-0009
1996 Validation of PCR-Based DNA Typing Data Bases for Forensic Use University of Texas-Houston $146,704 1996-IJ-CX-0023
1998 Development of Criteria for Model External DNA ProficiencyUniversity of Illinois-Chicago $249,9261996-DN-VX-0001
1996 Development of Criteria for Model External DNA Proficiency University of Illinois-Chicago $249,621 1996-DN-VX-0001
1996 Isolation and Characterization of Population-Specific Alleles University of Pittsburgh $99,965 1995-IJ-CX-0008
1996 Estimation of Population Structure Parameters North Carolina State University $26,249 1995-IJ-CX-0007
1995 Estimation of Population Structure Parameters North Carolina State University $25,000 1995-IJ-CX-0007
1995 Isolation and Characterization of Population-Specific Alleles University of Pittsburgh $99,677 1995-IJ-CX-0008

Research Articles and Reports

Select a title to view an abstract from PubMed database (National Library of Medicine's) unless a different file type is indicated.

Sort the table by selecting a column head. Sort multiple columns by holding down "Shift" as you select heads.

General Tools and Information

TitleAuthorsPublicationYearAwardeeAward Number
Laser Microdissection as a Technique to Resolve Mixtures and Improve the Analysis of Difficult Evidence Samples (pdf, 96 pages) Robert Driscoll, MFS ; Dane Plaza, BS ; Robert Bever, Ph.D. Final Grant Report 2009 The Bode Technology Group, Inc. 2006-DN-BX-K032
Application of Proteinases for DNA Isolation of Bone Specimens (pdf, 35 pages) Richard C. Li, Ph.D. Final Grant Report 2009 Indiana University 2006-DN-BX-K010
A real-time multiplex SNP melting assay to discriminate individuals. Nicklas JA, Buel E. J Forensic Sci. 2008 Nov;53(6):1316-24. 2009 Vermont Department of Public Safety 2005-DA-BX-K003
Forensic Stain Identification By RT-PCR Analysis (pdf, 130 pages) Tricia Conti and Eric Buel Final Grant Report 2009 Vermont Department of Public Safety 2004-DN-BX-K002
Determination of the Age (Time since Deposition) of a Biological Stain (pdf, 85 pages) Jack Ballantyne Final Grant Report 2009 University of Central Florida 2005-MU-BX-K071
Demonstration of rapid multiplex PCR amplification involving 16 genetic loci. Vallone PM, Hill CR, Butler JM. Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2008 Dec;3(1):42-5. 2008 NIST 2003-IJ-R-029
Demonstration of rapid multiplex PCR amplification involving 16 genetic loci Peter M. Vallone, Carolyn R. Hilla and John M. Butler Forensic Science International: Genetics
Volume 3, Issue 1, December 2008, Pages 42-45
2008 NIST 2003-IJ-R-029
Validation of reduced-scale reactions for the Quantifiler Human DNA kit Westring CG, Kristinsson R, Gilbert DM, Danielson PB. J Forensic Sci. 2007 Sep; 52(5):1035-43. Epub 2007 Aug 6. 2007 University of Denver 2003-IJ-CX-K104
Forensic science. Brettell TA, Butler JM, Almirall JR. Anal Chem. 2007 Jun 15; 79(12):4365-84. Epub 2007 May 17. 2007 NIST 2003-IJ-R-029
Short tandem repeat typing technologies used in human identity testing. Butler, J.M. Biotechniques. 2007 Oct; 43(4):ii-v 2007 NIST 2003-IJ-R-029
Multiplex_QA: an exploratory quality assessment tool for multiplexed electrophoretic assays. Dueler DL, Butler JM. Electrophoresis. 2006 Oct; 27(19):3735-46. 2006 National Institute of Standards and Technology 2003-IJ-R-029
Genetics and genomics of core short tandem repeat loci used in human identity testing. Butler JM. J Forensic Sci 2006 Mar; 51(2):253-65 2006 National Institute of Standards and Technology 2003-IJ-R-025
AutoDimer: a screening tool for primer-dimer and hairpin structures. Vallone PM and Butler JM Biotechniques. 2004 Aug; 37(2):226-31. 2004 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
NIST mixed stain study 3: signal intensity balance in commercial short tandem repeat multiplexes. Duewer DL, Kline MC, Redman JW, Butler JM Anal Chem. 2004 Dec 1; 76(23):6928-34 2004 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
Constructing STR Multiplex Assays. Butler JM Methods Mol Biol. 2004; 297:53-66. 2004 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
The feasibility of external blind DNA proficiency testing. II. Experience with actual blind tests Peterson JL, Crim D, Lin G, Ho M, Chen Y, Gaensslen RE J Forensic Sci Jan 2003, vol. 48, No. 1, 32-40 2003 University of Illinois at Chicago 1996-DN-VX-0001
NIST Mixed Stain Study 3: DNA quantitation accuracy and its influence on short tandem repeat multiplex signal intensity. Kline MC, Duewer DL, Redman JW, Butler JM. Anal Chem. 2003 May 15; 75(10):2463-9. 2003 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
The feasibility of external blind DNA proficiency testing. I. Background and findings Peterson JL, Crim D, Lin G, Ho M, Chen Y, Gaensslen RE J Forensic Sci Jan 2003, vol. 48, No. 1, 21-31 2003 University of Illinois at Chicago 1996-DN-VX-0001
SAMP14, a novel, acrosomal membrane-associated, glycosyl phosphatidylinositol - anchored member of the Ly-6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor superfamily with a role in sperm-egg interaction. Shetty J, Wolkowicz MJ, Digilio LC, Klotz KL, Jayes FL, Diekman AB, Westbrook VA, Farris EM, Hao Z, Coonrod SA, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. J Biol Chem. 2003 Aug 15; 278(33):30506-15. Epub 2003 Jun 04. 2003 University of Virginia 2000-IJ-CX-K013
Extraction and analysis of human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from electron beam irradiated envelopes. Withrow AG, Sikorsky J, Downs JC, Fenger T. J Forensic Sci. 2003 Nov; 48(6):1302-8. 2003 Marshall University 2001-RC-CX-K002
SLLP1, a unique, intra-acrosomal, non-bacteriolytic, c lysozyme-like protein of human spermatozoa. Mandal A, Klotz KL, Shetty J, Jayes FL, Wolkowicz MJ, Bolling LC, Coonrod SA, Black MB, Diekman AB, Haystead TA, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. Biol Reprod. 2003 May; 68(5):1525-37. Epub 2002 Nov 27. 2003 University of Virginia 2000-IJ-CX-K013
Allele frequencies for 15 autosomal STR loci on U.S. Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic populations. Butler JM, Schoske R, Vallone PM, Redman JW, Kline MC. J Forensic Sci. 2003 Jul; 48(4):908-11. 2003 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
A strategy for examining complex mixtures of deoxyoligonucleotides using ion-pair-reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and informatics. Vallone PM, Devaney JM, Marino MA, Butler JM Anal Biochem. 2002 May 15; 304(2):257-65. 2002 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
Effect of sample preparation and pH-mediated sample stacking on the analysis of multiplexed short tandem repeats by capillary electrophoresis. Crivellente F, McCord BR. J Capillary Electrophor. 2002; 7(3-4):73-80. 2002 Ohio University 1999-IJ-CX-K014
Polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA from aged blood stains: quantitative evaluation of the "suitability for purpose" of four filter papers as archival media. Kline MC, Duewer DL, Redman JW, Butler JM, Boyer DA. Anal Chem. 2002 Apr 15; 74(8):1863-9. 2002 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
Capillary electrophoresis as a tool for optimization of multiplex PCR reactions. Butler JM, Ruitberg CM, Vallone PM. Fresenius J Anal Chem. 2001 Feb; 369(3-4):200-5. 2001 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
STRBase: a short tandem repeat DNA database for the human identity testing community. Ruitberg CM, Reeder DJ, Butler JM. Nucleic Acids Res. 2001 Jan 1; 29(1):320-2. 2001 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
Genotyping of two mutations in the HFE gene using single-base extension and high-performance liquid chromatography. Devaney JM, Pettit EL, Kaler SG, Vallone PM, Butler JM, Marino MA. Anal Chem. 2001 Feb 1; 73(3):620-4. 2001 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
Linear mixture analysis: a mathematical approach to resolving mixed DNA samples. Perlin MW, Szabady B. J Forensic Sci. 2001 Nov;46(6):1372-8. 2001 Cybergenetics Co. 2001-IJ-CX-K003
Temperature and pH studies of short tandem repeat systems using capillary electrophoresis at elevated pH. Nock T, Dove J, McCord B, Mao D. Electrophoresis. 2001; 22(4):755-62. 2001 Ohio University 1999-IJ-CX-K014
Quality control of PCR primers used in multiplex STR amplification reactions. Butler JM, Devaney JM, Marino MA, Vallone PM. Forensic Sci Int. 2001 Jun 1; 119(1):87-96. 2001 National Institute of Standards and Technology 1999-IJ-R-A094
World population data for the HLA-DQA1, PM and D1S80 loci with least and most common profile frequencies for combinations of loci estimated following NRC II guidelines. Peterson BL, Su B, Chakraborty R, Budowle B, Gaensslen RE. J Forensic Sci. 2000 Jan;45(1):118-46. 2000 University of Illinois at Chicago 1998-VB-R-018
U.S. Government's Official Web Portal
United States Department of Justice