Developmental validation of the Microreader™ 20A ID system.

The Microreader™ 20A ID system is designed for forensic applications such as personal identification, parentage testing, and research. It includes 13 combined DNA index system (CODIS) short tandem repeat (STR) loci (CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, vWA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, and D21S11), three expanded CODIS STR loci (D12S391, D19S433, and D2S1338), three non-CODIS STR loci (D6S1043, Penta D, and Penta E), and the amelogenin locus in one reaction with a six-dye fluorescent (FAM, HEX, TAMAR, ROX, PUR, and QD550) analysis system. In this study, the Microreader™ 20A ID system was validated according to the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods validation guidelines for forensic DNA Analysis methods and Chinese national standard, including PCR-based studies, sensitivity study, precision, and accuracy evaluation, stutter calculation, inhibitor tests, species specificity, and DNA mixture studies. Our results suggest that the Microreader™ 20A ID system is a useful tool for personal identification and parentage testing.