Internal Validation of the AmpFlSTR® Yfiler™ PCR Amplification Kit

The project conducted at the Forensic Testing Laboratories (FTL) in Las Cruces, NM involved an internal validation of the AmpFlSTR® Yfiler™ PCR Amplification kit. FTL currently implements the PowerPlex® Y kit which amplifies eleven Y-STR markers. The Yfiler™ kit provides more discriminatory power as it contains sixteen Y-STR markers. The validation included sensitivity, mixture, case type samples, contamination, precision and injection time change studies as required by the National Standards. Based on the data obtained, the Yfiler™ kit successfully detects male DNA in the presence of female DNA, and the correct number of male contributors in male/male mixtures is distinguishable. The additional loci included in the Yfiler™ kit can provide more insight than what is achieved through the PowerPlex® Y kit.