Internal Validation of the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler™ PCR Amplification Kit at The Forensic Testing Laboratory, Inc.

Prior to being implemented into forensic casework at a laboratory, a new method or product used in forensic DNA analysis must be validated internally within that laboratory. An internal validation of the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler™ PCR Amplification Kit at The Forensic Testing Laboratory was conducted, and it consisted of a sensitivity study, mixture study, non-probative case sample study, precision study, and a contamination study. The sensitivity study served to determine the target amount of input DNA to be added to each reaction, and the mixture study demonstrated how sensitive this kit is in detecting mixed source samples. The non-probative case sample study simulated various types of samples that may occur in casework. The results of each study are satisfactory for an internal validation, and the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler™ PCR Amplification Kit may now be used in forensic casework, since the kit was proven to be reliable, robust, and reproducible.