FBI approves Promega DNA Kit for NDIS Database

[PRESS RELEASE]

The FBI recently approved the Promega PowerPlex® 16 HS System for use by laboratories participating in, or generating DNA records for, the National DNA Index System (NDIS). NDIS currently contains more than seven million profiles and has assisted in over 94,000 investigations. It is populated with offender and forensic profiles from all 50 states, which makes it a powerful tool for identifying criminals nationwide.

The PowerPlex 16 HS System, released March 2009, has been optimized to increase success rates with challenging forensic samples and simplifies the workflow for offender databasing. The new system addresses these needs with a more robust reaction buffer and integrated hot start Taq DNA polymerase. Forensic samples often contain inhibitors that negatively impact DNA typing. The optimized reaction buffer increases tolerance for these common PCR inhibitors, resulting in strong results on even tough case samples. This increased capability also allows for direct analysis of database samples without DNA purification, which both simplifies the workflow for offender databasing and ultimately increases a laboratory’s productivity.

An inter-laboratory developmental validation study to support the NDIS approval is summarized in a report by Ensenberger, et al. and was published online this month in Forensic Science International Genetics. For more information on the PowerPlex 16 HS System, see www.promega.com/powerplex16hs

Promega Corporation has provided products for DNA-based human identification for over 20 years. Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry. The company’s 2,000 products enable scientists worldwide to advance their knowledge in genomics, proteomics, cellular analysis, molecular diagnostics and human identification. Founded in 1978, the company is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 14 countries and over 50 global distributors. For more information about Promega, visit www.promega.com.