Applied Biosystems introduces new forensic testing kit

Applied Biosystems has produced a new forensic testing kit with the aim of improving DNA evidence analysis and streaming the process of sexual assault cases.

The Quantifiler Duo DNA Quantification Kit was developed to enable forensic laboratories to obtain increasingly comprehensive information from challenging DNA evidence procured in the early stages of collection.

After surveying feedback from forensic laboratories, Applied Biosystems found that the recovery of probative information is limited in approximately 15 to 20 per cent of sexual assault cases – often due to the mixture of male and female DNA.

The new kit provides both quantitative and qualitative assessment of human and human male samples simultaneously and "more accurately" estimates the quantity of DNA in degraded samples.

Ultimately this provides laboratories with the male-to-female DNA mixture ratio, guides selection of the optimal DNA profiling chemistry kit and is expected to increase analysis success rates.

Currently, the Quantifiler Duo DNA Quantification Kit is being utilised by the San Diego police department forensic laboratory, which stated that it is aiding them in providing "better results in less time".

Applied Biosystems is a global leader within the life sciences marketplace, it has bases installed in nearly 100 countries.