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Forensic and Human Identification Solutions for Improved Workflow Efficiency

QIAGEN
13 Jul 2017
Abigail Berry
Administrator / Office Personnel

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Criminal investigations increasingly rely on biological evidence, resulting in an increase in the number of samples submitted to forensic laboratories for DNA profiling. It is extremely important for forensic laboratories to be able to handle this growing demand for forensic DNA testing, while still maintaining first pass success rates and turnaround times. To address this influx in evidence and the backlogs frequently associated with it, many laboratories have turned to automation, but this automation still needs to be integrated into the laboratories’ workflow.

To meet the needs of modern forensic laboratories, QIAGEN has developed several automated solutions, including the QIAsymphony SP (sample prep) instrument. The QIAsymphony SP instrument processes up to 96 samples (in batches of 24), while standardizing and streamlining the sample purification process to provide a high quality, PCR-ready DNA sample.

The Investigator Lyse&Spin Basket Kit can be used in conjunction with the QIAsymphony SP instrument to further enhance your workflow and increase laboratory efficiency, while reducing human intervention. The Investigator Lyse&Spin Baskets are used for pretreatment of forensic samples prior to automation, to lyse the sample and separate solid substrates in one simple procedure. The kit is fully enclosed, providing a safe environment for maximum reliability, and can be easily integrated into the QIAsymphony workflow.

The combination of the Investigator Lyse&Spin Basket Kit, for standardization of highly variable starting material, with the QIAsymphony SP, for high-throughput sample purification, has enabled the forensic laboratory of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to optimize the laboratory workflow and reduce sample manipulation. With the implementation of their new workflow, NBI doubled their workflow capacity, while maintaining their high success rates.

To learn more about the workflow and see NBI’s validation data for the QIAsymphony SP Instrument and Investigator Lyse&Spin Basket Kit, read their application note here.

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PCR and Thermal CyclingPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and thermal cyclers are used for the in vitro amplification of DNA permitting subsequent analysis and experimental procedures. Explore a range of high-quality polymerase, primers and nucleotides or simplify your workflow with a PCR mastermix. Find reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and cDNA synthesis kits for RNA products and libraries. Quantitatively measure the amplification of DNA with real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) kits and systems, and discover automated PCR setup solutions to increase throughput. Alternative DNA amplification methods also include recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) kits. Find the best PCR kits and thermal cyclers and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Sample ManagementSample management systems include sample storage devices such as freezers and plate storers, sample environment enclosures and sample organization, retrieval and sorter systems. Useful system features include high-throughput, automation, robotic arms, automated liquid handling and associated database systems. Accessories in sample management include barcode scanners, heat sealers and tubes.DNA / RNA Extraction and PurificationPurified DNA and RNA are required for numerous downstream molecular biology applications. Consequently, the importance of high-quality DNA/RNA extraction and purification equipment cannot be underestimated. Many purification kits are available and are typically optimized for nucleic acid type and source, including plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, mRNA, RNA and viral nucleic acid purification kits. Automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids can be implemented with magnetic bead separator instruments or high-throughput purification workstations. Find the best DNA/RNA extraction and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Automation Supplies / AccessoriesAutomated accessories and consumables make lab processes fast, efficient and reliable. Useful automation accessories include microplate sealers, label printers and reagent reservoirs.Evidence Collection and AnalysisEvidence Collection and Analysis is the retrieval and subsequent investigation into criminal evidence obtained from a crime scene. Forensic genetic instruments, kits and reagents enable the analysis of evidence collected  at the crime scene. Reagents and kits for presumptive analysis for body fluids such as blood, saliva and semen in addition to drugs and narcotics test kits are used for CSI. Fingerprinting equipment, forensic light sources, casting kits and equipment for collecting recoverable materials can be found in the directory.Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.Forensic InvestigationForensic investigation is a diverse collection of scientific techniques and methods for the identification and characterization of chemicals relating to crime scene investigations.Sample ProcessingSample processing is required to prepare samples prior to analysis. Technologies used for sample processing include homogenizers, grinders, mills and mixers.

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Forensic and Human Identification Solutions for Improved Workflow Efficiency