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Small Scale Automation in the Forensic DNA Laboratory

NCJ Number
226294
Journal
Forensic Magazine Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: February/March 2009 Pages: 19-22
Author(s)
Cris Cowan; Melissa Schwandt; Anthony J. Tambasco
Date Published
February 2009
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the advantages of low throughput automation for forensic DNA laboratories, options for low throughput instrumentation, and the implementation of low throughput automation in the laboratory.
Abstract
Manual DNA sample extraction and processing are still the norm in many forensic DNA laboratories. This is time-consuming and labor intensive, with outcomes varying by analyst. One way to address these issues is by automating sample processing. It is often assumed that the instrumentation required for the automation of DNA sample processing is too complex and expensive to be adopted by the majority of laboratories. In addition, many labs consider the main advantage of automating any process to be the ability to increase sample throughput to 96 well or higher levels. Although these assumptions are often true for large automated liquid handlers and the processes they automate, the availability of smaller automated instruments that offer lower throughput has made automation more affordable, easier to use, and simpler to implement, as well as providing other benefits. The trade-off for all of these benefits is that Personal Automation instruments focus only on automating the process of nucleic acid extraction. Although this can be viewed as a limitation, it also makes them easier to incorporate into laboratories that prefer most of their workflow process to remain manual. Currently, there are several options for Personal Automation with kits specifically designed for the forensic laboratory. This article lists and describes the capabilities of some of these instruments that have been designed with easy-to-use protocols for genomic DNA extraction. This article also provides a case example of the utility and ease of implementing low throughput automation. This was done by the Mansfield Division of Police, Forensic Science Laboratory DNA Section (Ohio), which consists of two DNA analysts, a DNA technician, and two biology support technicians. 1 table