Recovering DNA from fired cartridge casings (FCCs) and firearms (FAs) remains a significant challenge for forensic laboratories. The presence of heat, metal surfaces and trace-level DNA often results in poor yields, impeding successful DNA profiling. Yet, with firearm-related crimes on the rise, there is an urgent need to enhance recovery techniques and obtain interpretable genetic profiles from such difficult substrates.

This study explores the application of an automated, high-volume extraction protocol using the EZ2 Connect instrument to improve DNA yield from FCCs and FA swabs. DNA quantification was performed using the Quantiplex Pro RGQ Kit. Subsequent analysis employed capillary electrophoresis (CE) with the Investigator 24plex QS Kit and massively parallel sequencing (MPS) via the ForenSeq MainstAY Kit. Results showed that the optimized workflow increased both the quantity and quality of recovered DNA, enabling successful downstream typing.

A processing framework is proposed to support operational decision-making. It guides forensic analysts in selecting the optimal extraction and analysis strategy based on DNA concentration and degradation metrics. These findings highlight a path forward for improving DNA recovery from FCCs and FAs. Future work will focus on validating this workflow across additional firearm types and environmental conditions

Recovering DNA from fired cartridge casings (FCCs) and firearms (FAs) remains a significant challenge for forensic laboratories. The presence of heat, metal surfaces and trace-level DNA often results in poor yields, impeding successful DNA profiling. Yet, with firearm-related crimes on the rise, there is an urgent need to enhance recovery techniques and obtain interpretable genetic profiles from such difficult substrates.

This study explores the application of an automated, high-volume extraction protocol using the EZ2 Connect instrument to improve DNA yield from FCCs and FA swabs. DNA quantification was performed using the Quantiplex Pro RGQ Kit. Subsequent analysis employed capillary electrophoresis (CE) with the Investigator 24plex QS Kit and massively parallel sequencing (MPS) via the ForenSeq MainstAY Kit. Results showed that the optimized workflow increased both the quantity and quality of recovered DNA, enabling successful downstream typing.

A processing framework is proposed to support operational decision-making. It guides forensic analysts in selecting the optimal extraction and analysis strategy based on DNA concentration and degradation metrics. These findings highlight a path forward for improving DNA recovery from FCCs and FAs. Future work will focus on validating this workflow across additional firearm types and environmental conditions

Do you want to enhance your plasmid DNA extraction skills? Join us for an illuminating webinar with plasmid DNA expert Dr. Thorsten Singer, where you'll learn how to:

• Handle bacterial cultures
• Purify plasmid DNA using different technologies
• Avoid RNA and endotoxin contamination 

This is an excellent opportunity to boost your knowledge and skills. 

Can't make the live session? Register to receive a link to the recorded webinar and gain access anytime, anywhere.  

In 2009, a group of qPCR experts published the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines for reproducible experiments. Those guidelines shaped present-day qPCR, considered a gold standard technique in molecular biology. Fast forward to 2013, dPCR also took advantage of the publication of the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Digital PCR Experiments (dMIQE) guidelines to ensure global standardization. A new version of the dMIQE guidelines was published in 2020, considering the increasing number of applications and the introduction of new platforms.

To democratize this guideline and the use of this powerful technology, we are answering three critical questions through this webinar:

• Why are the dMIQE guidelines essential?
• What are the key components of these guidelines?
• How have they revolutionized detection in applied testing applications using dPCR?

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a major foodborne pathogen. Its detection requires the preliminary testing, culture isolation and confirmation testing on single colonies. The whole process of obtaining a result normally takes a week or longer. Digital PCR aliquots a tube of reaction into thousands of tiny chambers and the majority of occupied chambers contain a single copy of the target. Experiments indicate that we can mobilize intact E. coli cells into the chamber, lyse the cells and PCR amplify the O-antigens and virulence genes from the same chamber. Thus, we can confirm if the virulence genes are carried by the given O-group E. coli without culture isolation of the bacterial strain. We have generated data using pure culture, culture-spiked bovine feces and ground beef and successfully differentiated STEC and non-STEC E. coli strains. Instead of a week-long process, this procedure is able to provide next-day results.

Part one of this two-part webinar series explores how long-read panels are transforming genomic analysis in cancer research.

In this session, we’ll introduce long-read sequencing and examine how it overcomes the limitations of short-read technologies – particularly in resolving complex cancer-associated structural variations, phasing haplotypes for allele-specific expression analysis in tumors and navigating challenging and often rearranged genomic regions in cancer. You’ll gain insights into the added value of long reads in capturing comprehensive genomic information relevant to tumor development and progression. 

We‘ll also highlight the role of hybrid capture technologies in enabling targeted enrichment for both long- and short-read platforms. This approach maximizes sequencing efficiency and data quality while expanding the reach of your analysis.

Join us as we lay the groundwork for understanding the complementary nature of long- and short-read sequencing – setting the stage for deeper, integrated analysis in part two of the series.

Part one of this two-part webinar series explores how long-read panels are transforming genomic analysis in cancer research.

In this session, we’ll introduce long-read sequencing and examine how it overcomes the limitations of short-read technologies – particularly in resolving complex cancer-associated structural variations, phasing haplotypes for allele-specific expression analysis in tumors and navigating challenging and often rearranged genomic regions in cancer. You’ll gain insights into the added value of long reads in capturing comprehensive genomic information relevant to tumor development and progression. 

We‘ll also highlight the role of hybrid capture technologies in enabling targeted enrichment for both long- and short-read platforms. This approach maximizes sequencing efficiency and data quality while expanding the reach of your analysis.

Join us as we lay the groundwork for understanding the complementary nature of long- and short-read sequencing – setting the stage for deeper, integrated analysis in part two of the series.

Building on the foundational knowledge from part one, this session focuses on the critical aspects of secondary analysis for long-read panel data. 

We’ll guide you through essential considerations for constructing high-performing bioinformatics workflows, including tailored read alignment strategies optimized for long reads, advanced variant calling algorithms to detect structural variations and tools for accurate haplotype phasing and visualization. 

Discover how to refine your pipeline to improve the accuracy and interpretability of your long-read data. Explore best practices for downstream analysis – empowering you to extract meaningful insights and apply them confidently in both research and diagnostic settings. 

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear roadmap for leveraging the full potential of long-read panels in your genomic studies.

Building on the foundational knowledge from part one, this session focuses on the critical aspects of secondary analysis for long-read panel data. 

We’ll guide you through essential considerations for constructing high-performing bioinformatics workflows, including tailored read alignment strategies optimized for long reads, advanced variant calling algorithms to detect structural variations and tools for accurate haplotype phasing and visualization. 

Discover how to refine your pipeline to improve the accuracy and interpretability of your long-read data. Explore best practices for downstream analysis – empowering you to extract meaningful insights and apply them confidently in both research and diagnostic settings. 

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear roadmap for leveraging the full potential of long-read panels in your genomic studies.