Use of the AmpliType PM + HLA DQA1 PCR Amplification and Typing Kits for Identity Testing

Direct analysis of the composition of DNA has been used for forensic and paternity analysis since 1985 (1 ). Since each person, except for identical twins, has a unique DNA composition, methods that allow the detection of differences in the DNA are useful to resolve identification issues involving the origin of forensic biological samples or to resolve paternity disputes. Methods that detect insertions, deletions, or sequence changes are used for identity testing. In forensics, because all cells from a specific person have the same DNA, comparisons between a known reference sample (i.e., from a victim or suspect) and an evidentiary sample of unknown origin can provide evidence to help to identify the origin of the evidentiary sample. If the DNA profiles of the evidentiary sample and the known sample differ, then the evidentiary sample did not originate from the known individual. If the DNA profiles are the same, the known individual is not excluded as the source of the evidentiary sample and a likelihood of finding the DNA profile can be calculated based on population-genetics principles and an appropriate database. In cases of questioned parentage, since we obtain half of our DNA from each of our biological parents, comparisons between the DNA of a child and an alleged parent can help to resolve questions of paternity or maternity. For example, in a paternity test, if the child’s paternal allele is not present in the alleged father, he is excluded as the biological father (barring mutation or recombination). If the child’s paternal allele is present in the alleged father, he is not excluded as the biological father and a paternity index (PI) can be calculated as the genetic odds in favor of paternity.