The ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit is part of a complete, end-to end massively parallel sequencing solution specifically designed for use in forensic genomics applications. The ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit allows your lab to prepare up to 96 DNA samples for Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a simple plate-based workflow.
- Eliminate the need for multiple STR kits
- The wider range of SNPs provides information not available with other technology
- Obtain highly discriminating data from less than 100 pg of degraded or complex DNA
- Prepare up to 96 libraries simultaneously using a simple plate-based format
The ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit consolidates all autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers currently used around the world for casework and criminal DNA databasing into a single, streamlined workflow, eliminating the need to run multiple STR tests. In addition to autosomal, X-, and Y-STRs, the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit offers marker sets not routinely available with traditional capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods. These include a dense set of identity-informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (iiSNPs) that are informative for source attribution, phenotypic-informative SNPs (piSNPs) that provide estimates of eye color (blue, intermediate, brown) and hair color (brown, red, black, blond), and biogeographical ancestry-informative SNPs (aiSNPs). These can be critical in generating investigative leads from “no suspect” cases that may have otherwise gone cold.
Forensic loci covered with the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit
Feature |
Number of markers |
Amplicon size (bp) |
DPMA |
DPMB |
Global autosomal STRs |
27 |
61–467 |
Yes |
Yes |
Y-STRs |
24 |
119–390 |
Yes |
Yes |
X-STRs |
7 |
157–462 |
Yes |
Yes |
Identity SNPs |
94 |
63–261 |
Yes |
Yes |
Phenotypic SNPs |
22 |
73–227 |
No |
Yes |
Biogeographical ancestry SNPs |
56 |
67–200 |
No |
Yes |
In a single reaction, Primer Mix A (DPMA) enables testing of all autosomal, X-, and Y-chromosome STR targets and the full set of iiSNPs. Primer Mix B (DPMB) includes the aiSNPs and piSNPs.
The ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit includes:
- DNA Primer Mix A: Contains primer pairs for 58 STRs (including 27 autosomal STRs, 7 X, and 24 Y haplotype markers) and 94 iiSNPs
- DNA Primer Mix B: Contains all markers in DNA Primer Mix A, plus primer pairs for 56 biogeographical aiSNPs and 22 piSNPs (2 aiSNPs are also used for phenotype estimation)
Most SNPs included in the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit contain amplicon sizes ≤ 125 bp, making them extremely well-suited for analysis of degraded DNA or even highly inhibited DNA extracts (see figure “Comparison of high molecular weight gDNA and partially degraded gDNA performance”). The ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit also displays an improved ability to detect low-level minor components in mixtures that may otherwise go undetected with conventional STR and CE analysis. This increased power is due to the large number of markers included in the kit, many of which are highly polymorphic, coupled with the inherent sensitivity of the Illumina MiSeq FGx instrument.
Feature |
Details |
Sample types |
gDNA, buccal swabs, FTA card |
Recommended input for human gDNA per sample |
1 ng |
Recommended input for FTA card punch per sample |
1.2 mm |
Multiplexing capacity per run |
8–96 samples |
Short amplicon detection |
≥ 65 bp |
Locus multiplexing capability |
Simultaneous analysis of about 200 genetic markers |
Total library prep time |
7 hours and 15 minutes |
Hands-on time |
1 hour and 45 minutes |
Total sequencing time |
About 28 hours with the MiSeq FGx Reagent Kit; about 22 hours with the MiSeq FGx Reagent Micro Kit |