A semi-automated methodology for the extraction of DNA from human skeletal remains

The current methodology used by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification Missing Persons Laboratory (UNTCHI) to recover DNA from skeletal remains is time-consuming, laborious and not readily amenable to automation. The constraints of the current process limit the number of samples that can be analyzed.;The results of this study show that extractions performed with the AutoMate Express™ Forensic DNA Extraction System (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) produce comparable DNA quantity and quality to the current procedure used by UNTCHI. The utilization of the AutoMate Express™ Forensic DNA Extraction System in our operational laboratories would help streamline the process of DNA extraction from human skeletal remains and potentially provide increased amounts of genetic information.