Developmental Validation of the PowerPlex® 18E System: An 8-Dye STR Multiplex for Human Identification Applications

Published

June 22, 2024

Author(s)

Jonelle Thompson, Carolyn Steffen, Peter Vallone, Robert McLaren

Abstract

The PowerPlex® 18E System is an 18-locus, eight-dye, STR multiplex optimized for use with the Spectrum CE System and Spectrum Compact CE System. It simultaneously amplifies all 16 ENFSI-recommended loci and two gender-determining loci. In addition, there are two Quality Indicators which that provide indications of sample quality and amplification performance. The PowerPlex® 18E System is designed to amplify DNA from purified extracts as well as direct amplification of database sample substrates. The availability of 8 colors allows all loci to be less than 325 bp, including SE33, thus increasing a laboratory's chance of success with degraded and challenging samples. A multi-laboratory developmental validation study was performed for the PowerPlex® 18E System following SWGDAM guidelines. The results of the study demonstrate the reliability and robustness of the PowerPlex® 18E System for use in human identification DNA typing applications.

Citation

Forensic Science International: Reports

Volume

4

Issue

2

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1089/forensic.2024.0006

Local Download

Keywords

DNA, STR, PCR

Citation

Thompson, J. , Steffen, C. , Vallone, P. and McLaren, R. (2024), Developmental Validation of the PowerPlex® 18E System: An 8-Dye STR Multiplex for Human Identification Applications, Forensic Science International: Reports, [online], https://doi.org/10.1089/forensic.2024.0006, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=959846 (Accessed October 15, 2025)