Current STR-based techniques in forensic science.docVIP

Maejo Int. J. Sci. Technol. 2013, 7(01), 1-15 Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology ISSN 1905-7873 Available online at www.mijst.mju.ac.th Review Current STR-based techniques in forensic science Phuvadol Thanakiatkrai and Thitika Kitpipit * Department of Applied Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand * Corresponding author, e-mail: pthanakiatkrai@; phuvadol.t@psu.ac.th Received: 30 April 2012 / Accepted: 28 December 2012 / Published: 2 January 2013 Abstract: DNA analysis in forensic science is mainly based on short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping. The conventional analysis is a three-step process of DNA extraction, amplification and detection. An overview of various techniques that are currently in use and are being actively researched for STR typing is presented. The techniques are separated into STR amplification and detection. New techniques for forensic STR analysis focus on increasing sensitivity, resolution and discrimination power for suboptimal samples. These are achieved by shifting primer-binding sites, using high-fidelity and tolerant polymerases and applying novel methods to STR detection. Examples in which STRs are used in criminal investigations are provided and future research directions are discussed. Keywords: forensic science, DNA, STRs, STR amplification, STR detection INTRODUCTION Since the beginning of forensic DNA in 1985, the non-coding regions of DNA have been used for forensic identification due to the variation between individuals found in these regions [1]. Four things contribute to making DNA an excellent source of information that aids individualisation in forensic science: (1) almost no difference in DNA between cell types, (2) individual’s DNA do not generally change throughout his or her lifetime, (3) resistance of DNA to degradation as compared to proteins and (4) high variations among indiv