LAUSR

Abstract FTA ® cards were developed for analysing reference samples such as blood or saliva and helping to store the sample for long term purposes as it kills the microorganisms that comes along with biological stains which can be potential inhibitors. The aim of this research is to optimize a reduced volume PCR amplification for STR analysis of reference blood samples. This approach will help to reduce the costs of DNA profiling using direct amplification multiplex assays. A total number of 130 blood samples from different individuals were collected on FTA ® cards. The reaction was optimized using half volume for amplification with Identifiler ® Direct and Globalfiler™ Express multiplex assays. The protocol was applied in a forensic laboratory and was able to reduce costs and account for variability of DNA amounts among reference samples.