Analysis of forensic casework samples by Precision ID Ancestry panel - manual and automated Ampliseq workflow

The Precision ID Ancestry panel from ThermoFisher contains 165 SNP markers. In this study we compared library construction using the automated workflow with the Ion Chef and a manual workflow. Casework samples that were collected between 2005 and 2018 in the State of Qatar where used for the study and the samples varied from routine stains to challenging samples that yielded full and partial STR profiles. One hundred and forty-three samples were processed: sixteen using both workflows. Full and partial profiles were seen with both methods. The assay was sensitive; one sample with only 0.12 ng of input DNA having a full profile. No significant differences were seen between the two workflows. However, the automated workflow saved considerable hands-on lab time and reduced the potential for pipetting errors.