a scientist operating an HID machine
icon-human-id-applications
Human identification and forensics

Human ID products

Overview

Providing workflow solutions for every application

Whether you’re a lower-throughput, highly specialized lab or a high-throughput facility processing reference samples, we understand your need for dedicated products and protocols for forensic DNA profiling. To help you achieve your unique goals, QIAGEN offers optimized workflows and quality forensics products for every type of human identity and forensic testing need. Our product portfolio features the latest advancements in forensics technology, including a full range of forensic DNA-grade chemistries, combined with reliable sample collection devices for safe collection, transport and storage. In addition, our high-quality instruments provide effortless automation and address the diverse needs and challenges of crime scene investigation and human identification, covering every step from crime scene to courtroom. QIAGEN has also actively supported the development of global forensic standards to improve accuracy and support criminal justice and missing persons identification. QIAGEN’s top-quality, efficient solutions, innovative bioinformatics tools and comprehensive validation services can help you unlock valuable molecular insights. Trust your case to QIAGEN. 

icon-knowledgebase
Interested to see how other scientists use our products?
Explore our application notes to discover useful applications of our workflow solutions.
VIEW APPLICATIONS
Streamline your workflow with our optimized human ID and forensics solutions
Investigate our full range of products
Find a solution for every step of the human identification workflow.
View products

Sample collection

Ensure reliable results from the start

Reproducible and easy sample collection of cellular material from saliva, buccal cells, blood and other biological material is of paramount importance for your downstream DNA analysis. Our human ID and forensic sample collection products have longer storage data (for FTA paper-based products) than any other product. With their long history of use in human identity testing, you can have maximum confidence in your results.

EXPLORE SAMPLE COLLECTION PRODUCTS
Easi Collect Plus Qiagen
A woman in protective goggles holding a tablet in a lab
Easy-to-use sample collection devices ensure high database success rates

Sample collection by law enforcement officers needs to be simple and effective to avoid submission of poor-quality samples. In this application note, we describe a workflow that represents an effective and scalable high-throughput solution for DNA databasing in human identification and forensics.

READ APPLICATION NOTE​

Sample prep

Discover why QIAGEN is a world leader in sample prep for forensic labs

Find our full range of products for high-quality sample preparation that enable purification of PCR-ready DNA from a diverse range of samples and matrices.

EXPLORE SAMPLE PREP PRODUCTS
EZ2connect
  • From deep sea to outer space
    EZ1 is your solution to challenging bone samples​
    Discover how to speed up and improve the DNA yield from bone. Using the EZ1 Advanced XL Instrument, you can reduce the lysis time from the traditional 24 hours to a more efficient 2-hour treatment. Go from sample processing to results within the same working day with this rapid bone protocol.
    READ APPLICATION NOTE​
  • EZ2connect
    Explore ultra-efficient sample prep with EZ2 Connect Fx
    The EZ2 Connect Fx was designed with forensics labs in mind. Download the brochure to learn how you can get the most out of every sample with this powerful new instrument.
    View the interactive brochure

Quantification assays

Trusted DNA quantification results, even from difficult samples

Quantification of the human DNA in a sample helps forensic testing facilities to generate DNA profiles successfully. It confirms that the sample contains sufficient human DNA for further testing, establishes whether it contains inhibitors and predicts the success of your STR analyses. QIAGEN's quantification assays give you sensitivity, speed and accuracy in this crucial step of human identity and forensic testing.

EXPLORE DNA QUANT PRODUCTS
Samples evidence
Quantiplex Pro product image
Rapid, reliable quantification of total human and male DNA

Quantification of your samples prior to downstream STR typing confirms that sufficient DNA is present for further testing, indicates whether it contains inhibitors, and predicts the success of your STR analyses. The newly developed Investigator Quantiplex Pro RGQ Kit provides reliable information on the degradation status of both male and human DNA using quantitative real-time PCR. 

READ APPLICATION NOTE​
Voices of forensics
  • „For my research, I use a wide range of QIAGEN products. For example, for all my projects I use the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit for rapidly purifying high-quality, high-yield DNA. I have been very happy with the kit’s performance over the years, and I like how QIAGEN provides a different protocol according to the sample type.”

    Dr. Athina Vidaki, post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Genetic Identification at Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam. Learn more about Dr. Vidaki’s work.

  • Dr. Laura Heathfield
    „I almost exclusively use QIAGEN's Investigator DNA extraction kits, and I like how there are other projects and equipment which can easily be integrated into the DNA extraction workflow such as the TissueLyser II to prepare hard tissue for DNA extraction.”

    Dr. Laura Heathfield, lecturer and researcher in the Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Cape Town. Learn more about Dr. Heathfield’s work.

STR assays

Comprehensive and versatile STR technology

Discover our portfolio of high-quality assays for human identification, with versatile coverage of current international STR standards, including the European Standard set (ESS), the Combined DNA Index system (CODIS) and other non-standard and unique gonosomal loci. Plus, explore our dedicated products and solutions for direct amplification of high-quality reference samples from buccal cells or blood on FTA paper or swabs.

EXPLORE STR ASSAY PRODUCTS
Monitor screen with data and hand
HID Investigator 24plex
Investigator assays provide optimized STR chemistry

The basis of any paternity test is a full STR profile. The Investigator 26plex QS Kit is QIAGEN’s most discriminating STR marker set, and provides convenient paternity testing with the highest mean exclusion chance due to the choice of markers. You can use this assay for direct amplification from reference samples or amplification from purified DNA — it is optimized for both, without any compromise.

READ VALIDATION REPORT​
Always have confidence in your evidence

When preparing for court, you need to have the utmost confidence in the evidence you are providing for a case. That’s why we’ve developed the Investigator Quality Sensor, a novel internal performance control for STR assays. Learn how the Quality Sensor can provide information on PCR amplification efficiency and help you get better outcomes.

EXPLORE QUALITY SENSORS
HID Investigator QS
Voices of forensics
Amy Leigh Whittaker
„One of the QIAGEN products I use is the Investigator Argus X-12 QS Kit. [A] nice aspect of this kit is the quality measures it includes such as the Quality Sensor, helpful in monitoring PCR success, and an autosomal marker to facilitate alignment to autosomal STR profiles.”
Amy-Leigh Whittaker, a graduate student in the Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town. Learn more about Amy-Leigh’s work.
Get further insights
  • Investigator Argus Y-28 QS Kit
    Now available: New Y-chromosomal DNA profiling kit​
    Be the first to learn about our new Y-chromosomal assay for human ID and forensics. The Investigator Argus Y-28 QS Kit offers superior sensitivity, straightforward DNA quality assessment and best-in-class PCR chemistry.
    Learn more
  • Investigator 26 plex product image
    Get unambiguous STR results​
    Our latest STR assay solution, Investigator 26plex QS, provides optimized chemistry for enhanced robustness, sensitivity and reliability, even from trace DNA. Perform multiplex amplification of all Chinese, CODIS and European standard markers in one reaction.
    Read more
  • Investigator 24plex
    Don’t wait — just GO!​
    Discover the ease of direct amplification of reference samples using our Investigator GO! series of kits. With the Investigator 24plex GO! Kit, get multiplex amplification of the CODIS and ESS loci, SE33, DYS391 and Amelogenin, with an innovative Quality Sensor
    Read more
icon-callout-help
Need help choosing the right assay for your lab?
Get in touch with QIAGEN experts.
ASK AN EXPERT​

Instruments

Automate your workflows for maximum efficiency and throughput

Automated workflows provide high process safety, consistent quality and precision and reduce hands-on time, leaving you free to take on other tasks. Automation can be a beneficial solution not only for facilities that process large numbers of samples every day, but also smaller labs with only a handful of samples a week. Whatever your automation needs, QIAGEN has a solution for you. Discover how our range of easy-to-use instruments can help automate your workflow.

EXPLORE INSTRUMENT PORTFOLIO
EZ2 Connect in a lab
Voices of forensics
  • Mirna Ghemrawi
    „What I like about QIAGEN products and instruments is the ease of use. My favorite workhorse is the EZ1 Advanced, an automatic extraction instrument based on silica-coated magnetic beads chemistry. I put in the cartridge, then the samples and hit the start button, and 16 minutes later, it is DONE.”

    Mirna Ghemrawi, doctoral student at Florida International University. Learn more about Mirna’s work.

  • Young Investigator Jan Fleckhaus discusses his research on age estimation
    „I’m exclusively using QIAGEN instruments and reagents for my experiments. What I like most is the easy handling of the products and the fast processing of the reactions. I am able to perform the entire workflow from DNA extraction to sequencing in a single day. This is a great advantage of the workflow especially for further application in routine casework.”

    Jan Fleckhaus, doctoral student at the Institute of Legal Medicine, Cologne, Germany. Learn more about Jan’s work.

Get further insights
  • EZ1 and QIAcube
    EZ1 and QIAcube work together in sexual assault case
    Discover how to accelerate EZ1 Advanced XL processing of mixed epithelial and sperm cells by replacing the transfer and pellet wash steps with an automated QIAcube Connect protocol. Read the application note to learn how!
    GET APP NOTE​
  • Qiacube connect
    QIAcube Connect virtual demo​
    Automate differential extraction and purification protocols at the push of a button with QIAcube Connect and manage your instrument remotely using the QIAsphere App. Get the most out of difficult samples using our specially designed differential wash protocols.
    TRY THE DEMO​
  • QIAmplifier
    Success at first try with QIAamplifier​
    Looking for a cost-effective solution to replace your old thermal cyclers? Enjoy success at first try with a thermal cycler designed for robustness and reproducibility. Learn more about the QIAamplifier for end point cycling in human identity applications.
    READ MORE​
Want a workflow to match your forensic needs?
Our easy online tool can help build an HID workflow with only a few clicks.
Try it now

NGS

Investigation in process
Tailored NGS solutions for every HID case

Traditional STR profiling doesn’t enable a match with a suspect or database when working with complex cases like disaster victim identification and crime intelligence. Discover how our QIAseq and QIAGEN–Verogen solutions overcome the current challenges in HID workflow and offer end-to-end support that can fundamentally change the impact of DNA testing on forensic casework.

VIEW NGS SOLUTIONS
A new NGS workflow allows identification of missing persons

More than 900 victims of the 2004 Thailand tsunami have been identified through the work of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). Among them are Linda, her father and her daughter Mira – finally giving Linda’s mother Ingrid Gunmundsson the closure she was looking for.

QIAGEN-Verogen partnership
One QIAGEN–Verogen workflow. Infinite possibilities

Although DNA profiling has revolutionized forensic science, what happens when a direct match isn't available – how can you move your investigation forward? Our comprehensive QIAGEN–Verogen workflow offers you infinite NGS-based capabilities, empowering you with tools to advance your routine and complex casework.

Discover how
Increase confidence in paternity calling with UMI-based QIAseq targeted sequencing 

Prenatal genetic testing using invasive methods has an associated risk of miscarriage and infection. Non-invasive methods involve the safer approach of sampling maternal blood for circulating fetal cell free DNA (cfDNA). This new application refines the SNP/cfDNA strategy further by using much smaller numbers of SNPs and barcoding them with Unique Molecular Indices (UMIs) as part of a QIAseq targeted sequencing panel, bringing significantly greater accuracy to the final sequencing data.

READ APPLICATION NOTE
liquid biopsy
icon-bio-informatics
Ready to design your own NGS panel for a human ID application?
Use our custom builder to design a sequencing panel targeting your regions of interest in just a few clicks.
BUILD A PANEL
Explore our streamlined NGS workflow for forensics applications
icon-bio-informatics
Ready to bring NGS technology into your lab?
Contact us now to see how you can incorporate an NGS approach into your existing workflow.
GET ADVICE​

Services and support

  • People in lab
    Reduce your validation time by up to 50%
    QIAGEN offers a consultative Validation Service to human identity and forensic laboratories supporting the validation process of new technology and application implementation. Our comprehensive service offers complete internal validation of your purification systems, assays and automated workflows in forensic or HID testing.
    EXPLORE OUR SERVICES
  • Committed to quality
    QIAGEN is a forerunner in quality initiatives for human identity testing and forensics. Industry-leading quality control systems, exacting manufacturing standards and rigorous product validation ensure that your work meets current and future quality standards. Learn more about our commitment to guaranteeing superior product quality and compliance with ISO 18385.
    Forensic DNA Grade quality
  • Need to access our exclusion database?
    Since 2005, QIAGEN has maintained a staff DNA profile database managed by an independent custodian from a German forensic institute. This database comprises anonymous STR profiles of staff working in operations at all our international locations, where testing reagents and plastics for the Investigator product line are produced.
    Make request
icon-search
Demo our workflow solutions
Try our demo tool to see which workflow is right for you.
Try the demo
Featured products – focus on automation
  • QIAsymphony product image
    QIAsymphony SP/AS Instrument
    For fully integrated automation of complete workflows, from sample preparation to assay setup
    Learn more
  • Qguilty product image
    QIAgility
    For rapid, high-precision automated PCR setup
      Learn More
    • Product image
      EZ1 Advanced XL
      For automated purification of nucleic acids from up to 14 human, forensic, or molecular diagnostics samples
      Learn More
    • QIAcube Connect product image
      QIAcube Connect
      For fully automated, spin-column-based nucleic acid extraction that you can manage from outside the lab using QIAsphere
      Learn More
    X
    Cookies help us improve your website experience.
    By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.
    Confirm