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Faster and Cheaper DNA Analysis? Denver Researchers Aim To Improve Mitochondrial DNA Typing

NCJ Number
195392
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 18-20
Author(s)
Rebecca Kanable
Date Published
May 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A forensic scientist at the Denver Police Department (Colorado) and a molecular biologist at the University of Denver are working on a method of mitochondrial DNA analysis that will deliver results to law enforcement agencies faster and cheaper.
Abstract
Current mitochondrial DNA typing takes days or even weeks to ensure the accuracy of the data, and it costs approximately $2,500 to have a questioned or crime-scene sample analyzed by a commercial lab. Working on his doctorate in human medical genetics, Greggory LaBerge, a forensic scientist for the past 6 years, wondered if a technology used in medical genetics could work in forensics as well. LaBerge teamed with Phillip Danielson, who holds a doctorate in molecular biology. Instead of using sequencing technology, they use a WAVE System on loan from Transgenomic, Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska. Used in cancer research, the WAVE was designed to perform high-speed, automated analyses of DNA molecules to identify the type, location, and frequency of DNA mutations. Results of the pilot study have been encouraging. with LaBerge's and Danielson's method, once the DNA has been extracted and amplified, an answer can be obtained in under an hour; and the labor cost is minimal. A commercial company could probably perform the full analysis for under $100. The proposed method is also more accurate, because it is not challenged by heteroplasmy, a mixture of two DNA profiles in mitochondrial DNA. Now that preliminary results look promising, the system must be refined and validated for forensic use. LaBerge estimates that if all goes well, mitochondrial DNA could be analyzed differently in forensic labs as early as 3 years from now. 3 illustrations