New Horizons in Forensic DNA Analysis

Promega Unveils PowerPlex® 18E and VersaPlex® 31P Systems

Jonelle Thompson, Stephen McDaniel, Promega Corp. Madison, WI, USA

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Introduction

Forensic labs today face a spectrum of challenges, from low-template DNA to complex mixtures and inhibited samples. Promega’s latest PowerPlex® 18E and VersaPlex® 31P Systems tackle these issues head-on, developed to make casework analysis faster, clearer, and more accurate. For analysts who need reliable answers and supervisors aiming to streamline their workflows, these tools introduce meaningful advancements that promise to lighten the load on busy forensic teams.

PowerPlex® 18E System: European Standards, Elevated

Promega’s PowerPlex® 18E System brings groundbreaking precision tailored for European forensic standards. Developed specifically to handle the complexities of modern European casework, this 8-color multiplex system supports everything from trace evidence to challenging degraded or inhibited samples, amplifying all 12 European Standard Set loci alongside additional markers to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Highlights:

  • 12 ESS loci plus added markers D2S1338, D16S539, D19S433, and SE33
  • Two gender-determining loci and two quality indicators to verify sample integrity
  • All loci are under 400 bp
  • Sensitivity down to 62.5 pg DNA with usable profiles from 31.25 pg

Jonelle Thompson, Global Validation Services Manager at Promega, shares, “For labs working with low-template DNA or samples with potential degradation, PowerPlex® 18E System is a game-changer. We’ve seen full profiles from amounts as low as 62.5 picograms—levels that could only yield partial profiles before.”

PowerPlex® 18E System isn’t just designed for everyday casework; it is prepared for the curveballs of forensic analysis. Labs can trust this system for sensitivity across a range of materials, from bone to various textile types. And when faced with DNA mixtures, PowerPlex® 18E System steps up to the task, identifying minor contributors with remarkable accuracy, saving valuable time on cases that might otherwise linger unresolved.

VersaPlex® 31P system: Power in Every Profile

The VersaPlex® 31P System introduces expanded discriminatory power that goes beyond standard STR systems. By including 20 CODIS core loci plus six new loci, the 8 color VersaPlex® 31P System is well-suited for casework that demands detailed genetic profiling and delivers precision even when handling compromised DNA.

Highlights:

  • 31 loci multiplex with 20 CODIS core loci plus six additional markers for greater discriminatory power
  • High concordance rate of 99.99 % with the NIST dataset, ensuring reliable results
  • Adaptability with samples affected by degradation and inhibitors like EDTA, hematin, and humic acid

“We wanted to create something that fits the needs of labs handling highly degraded samples,” explains Stephen McDaniel, Senior Research Scientist at Promega working on the VersaPlex® 31P team. “This system is designed for more than just STR analysis – it’s built to handle real forensic challenges. With allele recovery rates that remain high even in adverse conditions, labs can tackle old and new cases with confidence.”

In practical terms, VersaPlex® 31P System’s resilience under conditions of UV-C degradation and exposure to inhibitors like humic acid makes it ideal for labs working with aged, historic, or environmentally exposed samples. The system’s sensitivity allows analysts to extract detailed profiles even from degraded DNA, a feature especially valuable for cold case units seeking fresh leads.

Enhanced Workflow and Casework Consistency for Forensic Labs

Promega’s new systems aim to solve common but critical challenges in forensic workflows. Here’s how they support the daily demands of forensic professionals:

  • Reliability for Real Casework: PowerPlex® 18E System provides sensitivity across difficult samples, whether handling bone and tissue or low-quantity samples collected from trace evidence.
  • Resilience with Inhibitors and Degraded DNA: VersaPlex® 31P System offers robust profiling even in challenging samples, maintaining a high allele call rate in the presence of contaminants and inhibitors.
  • Streamlined Process for Analysts and Supervisors: Compatible with Promega’s Spectrum CE and Spectrum Compact CE Systems, both the PowerPlex® 18E and VersaPlex® 31P Systems streamline analysis across varying case demands. By incorporating intuitive software and quality indicators, analysts can quickly assess sample conditions and move forward efficiently with confidence in their results.

For forensic analysts and lab managers alike, these systems represent an ideal solution to the technical hurdles encountered daily. With both systems showing impressive performance in validation studies, including a 99.99 % concordance rate for VersaPlex® 31P System, forensic labs are empowered to elevate their operations and pursue complex DNA profiling with advanced, tailored tools.

These new Promega chemistries exemplify the commitment to equipping forensic labs not just with advanced technology, but with systems that genuinely enhance the capacity of teams to deliver meaningful results.

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