Forensic DNA Testing

Sample screening is often the initial step of a DNA forensics case. Some samples have not been thoroughly investigated for biological material. Those types of samples are put through the screening process to identify, categorize, and test biological material that may be present. Here at the DNA Reference Lab, we can customize your screening experience to fit your own personal needs.

The DNA Reference laboratory can successfully detect blood, semen, and saliva on a variety of materials. We utilize both presumptive and confirmatory tests considered standard in the forensic community in order to reach our conclusions.

If biological material is detected, we may seamlessly transition the sample into DNA testing in order to provide you with a comprehensive result.

Do you need legal documentation regarding the screening results? The DNA Reference Laboratory can process your case as either legal or non-legal. Legal cases require extensive chain of custody documentation and documentation preparation, while in non-legal cases the documentation is less extensive and the process is less expensive, but can not be used in court.

Our laboratory staff is trained specifically in the forensic genetics field and average around 10 years of experience specifically with forensic genetics testing.

Here at the DNA Reference Lab, we will not cease testing until we give you the most accurate answer possible. If you would like a sample to be tested, we will test it. We will not establish a cutoff in the number of samples we can run in a case. Our expert opinion can also guide you on the most appropriate samples to test, if there are many and you are unsure.

We offer quality testing at competitive pricing in a non-biased laboratory setting that frequently works with both prosecution and defense.

The DNA Reference Laboratory had earned the esteemed ASCLD-LAB International Accreditation incorporating ISO-17025 on its very first attempt. Now, we are one of a handful of private laboratories in the United States to possess the ability to be in compliance with such carefully crafted standards.

Forensic Screening Services Offered

• Standard Legal Item Screening
• Non-Legal Item Screening
• Legal Blood Detection
• Non-Legal Blood Detection
• Legal Semen Detection
• Non-Legal Semen Detection
• Legal Saliva Detection
• Non-Legal Saliva Detection
• Non-Legal Microscopic Hair Analysis
• Non-Legal Microscopic Fiber Analysis

Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is the most popular and most recommended method for genetic DNA identity comparisons. Essentially, the focus of STR testing is to obtain a DNA profile from some genetic evidence where the donor is unknown, and compare that profile to the profiles obtained from DNA samples where the donor is known in order to determine if a match exists. If it does, statistical analysis is performed to determine the significance or weight of that match.

The DNA Reference laboratory has validated the latest DNA extraction methods that allow for the ultimate in DNA recovery from inhibited samples. We incorporate the DNA IQ system utilizing Maxwell 16 Robotics from Promega Corporation to bypass most inhibitors using magnetic isolation technology. We have also validated standard phenol-chloroform organic methods under specific circumstances.

The DNA Reference laboratory was the first laboratory in the world to validate the Promega Plexor HY Quantification Kit using the Roche Lightcycler 480 Real Time PCR Instrumentation. Using this technology we are able to simultaneously detect the quantity of total DNA and male specific DNA present in a single DNA extract, useful for sexual assault samples where a mixture of male and female DNA exists. We use these values to dilute or concentrate the samples to a concentration ideal for amplification using the kits below.

The DNA Reference laboratory has validated amplification kits and systems from a variety of accepted vendors, offering its customers a choice if they have a preferred system. We offer tests using the following systems:

• PowerPlex 16 Kit – Promega Corporation – 15 STR loci + Amelogenin Sex Indicator
• PowerPlex 21 Kit –High Sensitivity and Inhibitor Resistance-20STR + a Gender Locus
• PowerPlex 24 Fusion STR Kit. The most powerful STR kit on the market at the present time. Extremely sensitive and tolerant for PCR inhibitors.
• PowerPlex Y-23 Kit – The maximum number of male gender loci available commercially.
• PowerPlex 16 HS Kit – Promega Corporation – High Sensitivity 15 STR loci + Amelogenin Sex Indicator
• PowerPlex 18D kit -Promega Corporation- High sensitivity and inhibitor resistance 17 STR loci Kit + Gender
• Identifiler – Applied Biosystems – 15 STR Loci + Amelogenin Sex Indicator
• Y-Filer – Applied Biosystems – 17 STR Loci on the Y Chromosome for Male Specific Testing

The DNA Reference laboratory uses the ABI 3130 capillary electrophoresis instrumentation for DNA detection, utilizing Genemapper software for DNA profile generation. This combination of technologies allows for extremely sensitive detection of amplified product and clear, concise results.

Our review process is extensive, following the FBI Quality Assurance and ISO 17025 standards to ensure that quality is assured and controls and reviews are appropriately implemented.

We offer this state of the art testing at pricing that would be equivalent to that charged by other private laboratories that use less powerful technology.

STR Analysis Services Offered

• Sexual Assault Kit Testing (Separation of Sperm and Epithelial Fractions, PowerPlex 16 or HS)
• Sexual Assault Kit Testing (Separation of Sperm and Epithelial Fractions, Identifiler or Y-Filer)
• Standard Evidence Testing (PowerPlex 16, Identifiler, Y-Filer)
• High Sensitivity Evidence Testing (PowerPlex 16 HS)
• Touch Sample High Sensitivity Testing (PowerPlex 16 HS)
• PowerPlex 18D kit for the maximum multiplexing and inhibitor resistance.
• Standard Reference Sample Testing (PowerPlex 16, PowerPlex 16 HS, Identifiler, Y-Filer)

Y Chromosome Short tandem repeat (Y-STR) analysis is a specific type of STR test performed by the DRL only in cases of male/female DNA mixtures or to trace male lineage across generations. All male relatives from the same line are expected to share the same Y-STR profile, making Y-STR testing a great tool for familial reconstructions. At the DRL, forensic Y-STR testing is performed when quantification reveals a male component in a male/female DNA mixture to be 1/10 or less of the total DNA quantified. Ordinarily, using autosomal kits like PowerPlex 16 or Identifiler to run this sample would result in a full female profile, but little to no DNA from the male would likely be detected. The female cells do not contain the Y-chromosome, and therefore the male DNA is the only DNA that will amplify with the Y-Filer. Comparisons would then be made to the Y-STRs of the reference sample to determine if a match exists, and statistical database size dependent calculations would be performed to assess the weight or value of the match.

The DNA Reference laboratory uses the ABI 3130 capillary electrophoresis instrumentation for DNA detection, utilizing Genemapper software for DNA profile generation. This combination of technologies allows for extremely sensitive detection of amplified product and clear, concise results.

Our review process is extensive, following the ASCLD-LAB International, FBI Quality Assurance, and ISO 17025 standards to ensure that quality is assured and controls and reviews are appropriately implemented. The DNA Reference Laboratory has earned the esteemed ASCLD-LAB International Accreditation incorporating ISO-17025 on its very first attempt. We are now one of a handful of private laboratories in the United States to possess this esteemed accreditation.

We offer this state of the art testing at pricing that would be equivalent to that charged by other private laboratories that use less powerful technology.

Forensic Y-STR Analysis Services Offered

• Sexual Assault Kit Testing (Y-Filer)
• Standard Evidence Testing (Y-Filer)
• Standard Reference Sample Testing (Y-Filer)
• Familial Reconstruction – male line (using Y-Filer)

As both an accredited paternity and forensic laboratory, we have the unique opportunity to handle cases that cross boundaries between the fields of forensics and paternity. Utilizing standards from both the AABB and ASCLD-LAB International, we were able to build a program that effectively establishes chain of custody for these unique cases.

A forensic paternity, as defined by the DNA Reference Lab, is a paternity case where one of the tested individuals are either deceased and can not submit the sample for themselves, or are not consenting to test, so an individual such as a private investigator or a medical examiner will collect samples known to contain DNA from that individual. This results in a non-standard sample, a type of sample whose chain of custody is defined by ASCLD-LAB International standard, but the calculation methods for ultimately performing the paternity or relationship test are defined by the AABB.

Since most clients will ultimately bring in the samples themselves to compare, without proper chain of custody we can not authenticate the collection of the samples, and must therefore state that although the test can be performed, it can not be used in court. However, if one is to follow the proper guidelines listed below when collecting the non standard samples, the test can be used in legal court. If the individual is deceased, we will need a letter from an individual authorized to consent for the deceased stating that the DNA Reference Lab is authorized to test these samples.

When submitting a legal non-standard sample:

• Photograph the evidence before handling the item. Place a ruler or a coin next to the item before photographing so there is a frame for size referencing.
• Use gloves to pick up the item. Otherwise your DNA can easily be transferred to the item.
• Package the item in a paper bag or envelope. Plastic bags induce mold, especially in the heat.
• Seal the bag or envelope with packaging tape, signing across the tape with your initials and the date.
• Note the time, date and location where the collection was made.
• Package each item individually.
• Bring the sample to the lab and fill out our chain of custody forms for legal delivery.

Forensic Paternity Services Offered

• Non-legal Forensic Paternity (price based on number of non-standard samples)
• Legal Forensic Paternity (price based on number of non-standard samples)

As both an accredited paternity and forensic laboratory, we have the unique opportunity to handle cases that cross boundaries between the fields of forensics and paternity. Utilizing standards from both the AABB and ASCLD-LAB International, we were able to build a program that effectively establishes a chain of custody for these unique cases.

Occasionally, there may arise a need to determine whether the profile obtained from an unknown forensic stain is likely to belong to the son or daughter of an alleged parent. In these circumstances, the identity of the unknown stain may be confirmed by comparing it to a known alleged parent. This is known as reverse paternity, and our laboratory is uniquely poised to perform this type of casework due to our extensive experience with paternity testing.

Rape Kits are a specialized DNA kit used to collect samples from individuals claiming to have been raped. Swabs are taken from specific areas of the body where the assault is likely to have left some form of biological evidence.

DNA REFERENCE LAB INC utilizes the Differex Kit from Promega Corporation in combination with the Maxwell 16 robotic instrumentation to effectively separate the DNA from the epithelial cells (skin cells) of the victim from the DNA present in the sperm in the sample. By dividing the swab into two parts, we are able to isolate a cleaner DNA product from both fractions.

With the incorporation of the Plexor HY quantification kit from Promega Corporation, we are able to precisely detect how much male DNA is present and dilute or concentrate this sample appropriately to obtain a clean male DNA profile.

Further, with the incorporation of Promega’s next-generation PowerPlex 16 HS kit, we can obtain a full DNA profile from far less sperm than is required using current generation kits used by most laboratories.

For mixture samples where there is simply too little male DNA and too much female DNA, Y-Filer can be utilized to read only the male fraction, providing results that otherwise would have been too buried in the female background to detect.

The DNA Reference Laboratory will provide independent matching of DNA specimens or will provide expert mixture analysis in cases where the lab work was performed at an independent laboratory, but comparisons have yet to be made.

Our DNA analysts are well-educated in the field of expert witness testimony. We have testified in hundreds of court cases since 1997, some of which have introduced new forensic methods into court for the first time. We have testified for both the prosecution and the defense and are well known for our thorough investigation of our own work as well as others.

Our DNA analysts are well-educated in the field of expert witness testimony and case review. We are experienced and knowledgeable in current calculation methods, chain of custody requirements, and scientific protocol. We thoroughly examine every forensic case we review for chain of custody errors and errors in methodology and present our conclusions in a non-biased and thorough manner. We have the qualifications to appear in court if requested to testify as an expert witness. We have no interest in the outcome of the case. If the casework was performed correctly in the case we are reviewing, we will commend the testing laboratory for its work. Our interest is to ensure that correct science is being performed and that samples are accounted for at all times.

Our laboratory is perfectly equipped to handle cold cases. Our extensive experience is rooted in the cold casework performed for OIDS in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and some other states over the last 14 years. We can retest samples and extracts either previously tested or not tested and utilize a chain of custody procedure that is accepted by all accrediting agencies, including the ASCLD-LAB International accreditation program.

Our advanced STR and quantification kits allow our laboratory to investigate further into cases than laboratories utilizing mainstream kits. We can obtain more informative results with less DNA.

We are experienced with working with all types of material containing biological DNA. We have been obtaining DNA successfully from paraffin wax-embedded tissue and formalized (FFPE) tissue for ten years. With our new magnetic extraction technology, this process has become more efficient. We are able to remove a significant amount of environmental PCR inhibitors from normally compromised samples, such as stains containing plant material and stains on dark denim.

ETHNITest is a program developed by the population geneticists at the DNA REFERENCE LAB INC. The program is designed to offer a cost-efficient means of establishing general ethnicity and some ancestral information from a standard 13 – 15 marker DNA profile. Our population geneticists have compiled databases worldwide to provide the most comprehensive resources for comparison.

Police departments are interested in ETHNITest. Often, a forensic case goes unsolved because no leads are available, and the DNA profile, although entered into CODIS, does not turn up any hits. Some evidence samples may be of low quantity and are not available for further testing. Entering the DNA profile into ETHNITest can provide investigators with ethnic information to allow them to narrow their search further.

Why use ETHNITest and not SNP testing or more deeply rooted ancestral tests to obtain ethnic information from your samples? Currently, those processes are expensive, take time, and require samples. We can confidentially use the DNA profile already generated to obtain an ethnicity probability without touching the sample, retesting, or requiring any other information than the 13 locus profile. This is helpful when the only evidence sample was exhausted years ago, and there are no other leads.

Do you own or manage a business? Is safety a priority? Does the nature of the job pose a health risk? Do you receive threats against the company?

DNA REFERENCE LAB INC offers internal control programs to suit your needs. We can test and profile the employees in your company so that if biological evidence is found later that is required to be compared, we can back-check and find out if the evidence likely belongs to an employee or someone else.

Track employee acts against the company by comparing employee profiles to:

• Letters and Suspicious Mail
• Weapons and Bombs
• Stolen items
• Unlawful drug use

Help identify remains at high-risk job sites

Is this safe? DNA REFERENCE LAB INC and every other forensic laboratory in the country are required by the standard to take DNA profiles from employees and guests to the laboratory to identify the sources of potential DNA contamination if it is detected. These samples and profiles are confidential and never leave the laboratory. We have internal control programs in our own lab, and they are instrumental, so why not provide the service to you?

Why now? Internal control programs are very effective. Often, in the case of acts against the company, the evidence profile is clear, but the employees are difficult to profile without asking for a sample directly. Keyboards and telephones don’t often have good-quality DNA and can be contaminated with DNA from multiple sources. A former employee may be the perpetrator, and in that case, no amount of information gathered from the company interior is going to match the profile on the evidence. With this service, if the employee has ever worked for you, their profile is on hand to compare to any evidentiary profile should the need arise.

Our infidelity testing process involves four steps:

The first step, screening, is performed on the item(s) using a highly sensitive blue light source capable of revealing hidden stains such as semen.

The second step, presumptive testing, begins on the stains in question. A small sample of the stain is screened to determine if the stain could contain a particular biological fluid using chemical indicators.

The third step, confirmatory testing, involves more powerful chemical indicators or microscopic testing and allows a small sample of the stain to be thoroughly examined for the presence of that particular biological fluid or the presence of sperm in the case of semen screening. This test will also allow us to detect the presence of a bacterial or yeast infection that can mask itself as a potential semen stain.

The fourth step is DNA analysis. If positive for semen, blood, saliva, etc., the client may submit a sample of their own DNA for comparisons against the questioned stain to rule out the possibility of the stain belonging to them. Any personal effects or items containing DNA from individuals in question may be submitted for comparison to the questioned stain, but understand that even in a legal case, a court-ordered reference sample is required from an individual in order to legally bind them to the evidence if we can not exclude them.

• Please collect the sample using gloves, place it in a paper bag or envelope, seal the container, and bring the item into the lab.

• Photograph the evidence before handling the item. Place a ruler or a coin next to the item before photographing so there is a frame for size referencing.
• Use gloves to pick up the item. Otherwise, your DNA can easily be transferred to the item.
• Package the item in a paper bag or envelope. Plastic bags induce mold, especially in the heat.
• Seal the bag or envelope with packaging tape, signing across the tape with your initials and the date.
• Note the time, date, and location where the collection was made.
• Bring the sample to the lab and fill out our chain of custody forms for legal delivery.

1. Evidence Collection Bag
2. Sterile Buccal Swabs
3. Buccal Swab Container (Envelope/Box)
4. Chain of Custody Forms
5. Pair of Gloves

• Screening
• Presumptive testing using chemicals for detecting P-30, and confirmatory testing using RSID (Independent forensics) screening for seminal fluid using an alternative light source.

• Enrichment for male and female cells using differential extraction
• Isolation of male and female DNA from each fragment
• Performance of DNA profiling from each isolated cellular component