Traditional forensic DNA profiling by PCR of short tandem repeats is considered a robust and reliable method of human identification. However, difficulties can occur when the starting DNA template is limited in quantity or quality. Various methods to improve the sensitivity of the PCR have been suggested for use with samples containing low levels of starting template. While these methods do allow for increasingly smaller amounts of DNA to be examined, stochastic sampling effects seen in the final profiles often make interpretation of results difficult, indicating a need for improved low template DNA analysis and interpretation strategies. This project, therefore, aimed to investigate and develop alternative methods for analysis of samples with limited starting template. Initial work on this project aimed to assess the current methods of low template DNA analysis. The LCN method used by forensic laboratories involves dividing a low template DNA extract into several replicates, usually three, and generating a consensus profile which includes only alleles seen in two or more of the replicates. It seems counter-intuitive to split an already low amount of DNA into even smaller amounts and so, in this study, the quality of consensus profiles derived through replicate an
د محمد محمود محمد عبد الفتاح | DR MOHAMMAD MAHMOUD MOHAMMAD ADEL FATAH | 8524