A Systematic Review on Commercially Available Integrated Systems for Forensic DNA Analysis

Abstract

This systematic review describes and discusses three commercially available integrated systems for forensic DNA analysis, i.e., ParaDNA, RapidHIT, and ANDE. A variety of aspects, such as performance, time-to-result, ease-of-use, portability, and costs (per analysis run) of these three (modified) rapid DNA analysis systems, are considered. Despite their advantages and developmental progress, major steps still have to be made before rapid systems can be broadly applied at crime scenes for full DNA profiling. Aspects in particular that need (further) improvement are portability, performance, the possibility to analyze a (wider) variety of (complex) forensic samples, and (cartridge) costs. Moreover, steps forward regarding ease-of-use and time-to-result will benefit the broader use of commercial rapid DNA systems. In fact, it would be a profit if rapid DNA systems could be used for full DNA profile generation as well as indicative analyses that can give direction to forensic investigators which will speed up investigations.

Keywords: ANDE; ParaDNA; RapidHIT; forensics; rapid DNA analysis.

Figure 1

A photograph of the MATCI, which was the size of a briefcase and was rechargeable battery-operated. Reprinted (adapted) with permission from [13]. Copyright 1998 American Chemical Society.

Figure 2

The PRISMA flow diagram was used in this systematic review.

Figure 3

(A) The sample collector of the ParaDNA system, (B) The nibs of the sample collector inserted into the reaction plate [41]. Reprinted from Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 6, Copyright (2017), with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 4

The RapidHIT ID system from IntegenX with a primary cartridge (a reagent cartridge that contains the necessary reagents and consumables for capillary electrophoresis) and a sample cartridge [4]. Reprinted from Forensic Science International: Genetics, Copyright (2017), with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 5

Schematic overview of the ANDE I-chip, with a top view (left) and a bottom view (right). Reprinted from [81].

Figure 6

Overview of the MiDAS cartridge for DNA extraction, amplification, and post PCR denaturation, with (P1–P4) electrochemical pumps; (C1) lysate input chamber; (C2) bead chamber; (C3) mixing/incubation chamber; (C4) washing and elution chamber; (R) PCR chamber; (A) DNA extract archive chamber; (D) denaturation chamber; (M) bead storage chamber; (B) binding buffer chamber; (W) wash solution storage chamber; (E) elution buffer storage chamber; (F) Formamide/ILS storage chamber; (X) output to CE. A closing valve is represented by b; an opening valve by 0; and a vent by 1. Reprinted (adapted) with permission from [14]. Copyright 2010 American Chemical Society.