Bode is one of the first laboratories to process casework using miniSTR DNA analysis. MiniSTRs are designed to increase the likelihood of obtaining a full DNA profile from compromised samples. Bode has completed internal validation studies for use of the Applied Biosystems’ AmpFlSTR® MiniFilerTM PCR Amplification Kit and developed protocols for the amplification, fragment separation, and profile analysis for use on samples within Bode’s laboratories.
Bode’s analysts are fully trained and have been using MiniSTRs on casework samples since October 2007. So far, we have had great success in using miniSTRs to obtain DNA profiles from samples that may contain small amounts of DNA or degraded DNA such as:

• Highly degraded and compromised samples such as items of clothing exposed to hot and humid conditions that were covered in mold
• Items of evidence covered in dirt that had been exposed to the elements
• Wet items that had been stored in plastic for months at room temperature
• Old hair samples
• Bullet casings
• Severely compromised bone samples

About miniSTR

MiniSTRs increase the likelihood of obtaining STR results from samples with compromised DNA, inhibitors and degradation. They provide increased sensitivity for larger loci that tend to provide poor results with other amplification kits. The miniSTR profiles generated include 8 of the same regions plus amelogenin, the gender identification allele, as standard STR. If partial results are obtained from standard DNA analysis it may be possible to process the sample for miniSTR analysis and combine the results to generate a full DNA profile of your questioned sample.

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