Preliminary validation of Prepfiler Express™ Extraction kit in AutoMate Express DNA Extraction System

TM A B S T R A C T A variety of challenging biological samples, including blood stains, saliva, semen, hair, bones, finger nails, among others, are often a part of our casework investigation. In this study, semen, blood samples and saliva swabs were extracted by several methods in order to optimize and validate the Prepfiler Express TM Extraction kit and the AutoMate Express DNA Extraction System. Results obtained with the robot (using silica-coated magnetic beads) were compared with methods based on a chelating resin, silica membranes and paramagnetic resin.