HIGHLY DISCRIMINATING HEPTAPLEX SHORT TANDEM REPEAT PCR SYSTEM FOR FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION

We describe a highly discriminating multiplex short tandem repeat PCR human identification system that gives a matching probability for Caucasians of European ancestry of 2.91 x 10(-8) or 5.66 x 10(-10) when used in combination with a previously described system. The system produces discrimination equal to or greater than four single locus probes (restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] typing of variable nucleotide tandem, repeat [VNTR] loci). The test is robust and reproducible and works with 1-10 ng of template DNA, using fluorescent detection of PCR products from either 4 or 6 short tandem repeat loci and the X-Y homologous gene amelogenin, giving simultaneous sex diagnosis.