Casework Direct System
Rapidly Process Sexual Assault Evidence and Low Abundance DNA Samples
- No-wash protocol maximizes the chance of recovering DNA from trace samples
- Quickly generates lysates that are compatible with PowerQuant®, Plexor® HY and PowerPlex® Systems
- Useful for Y-screening and selection of evidentiary samples for STR testing
- Note: The Casework Direct System (Cat.# DC4560, DC4561) replaces the custom version of the Casework Direct Kit, Custom (Cat.# AX4560). No changes have been made to the product composition and, therefore, no performance changes are expected during the migration of the product from the custom to catalog version.
Catalog Number:
Size
Catalog Number: DC4560
Catalog Number: DC4561
Rapidly Process Challenging Sample Types
The sheer volume of property crime and sexual assault evidentiary samples submitted to forensic laboratories has compelled many laboratories to actively seek out better solutions for processing these challenging sample types. The Casework Direct System is designed to rapidly process swabs from casework samples or cuttings of sexual assault swabs and stained clothing. (Read more in this white paper—download article.)
Unlike competing kits, lysates generated with the Casework Direct System are compatible with our quantification and STR amplification product lines. These lysates may be amplified with the PowerQuant® or Plexor® HY Systems to screen sexual assault samples for male DNA and to normalize human template for STR amplification with one of the PowerPlex® STR Systems.
When used with the PowerQuant® System, valuable workflow information such as the presence/absence of male DNA, degradation or potential PCR inhibition is provided.
Learn more about how the Casework Direct System and the PowerQuant® System can help improve processing efficiency for sexual assault evidence kits (SAEK).
Promega forensic products are manufactured in alignment with the ISO 18385 standard.This standard ensures minimal risk of human DNA contamination for products used to collect, store and analyze biological materials for forensic purposes. Learn more.
How It Works
Add 100–400µl of Casework Direct Solution along with a swab or cutting in the CW Spin Basket assembly, vortex for 5–10 seconds and incubate at 70°C for 30 minutes. Vortex again for 5–10 seconds, and centrifuge at room temperature for 5 minutes at maximum speed in a microcentrifuge to collect the lysate in the 1.5ml microcentrifuge tube. Carefully remove the CW Spin Basket containing the swab or cutting, and discard the spin basket. Quantify 2µl of the lysate using PowerQuant® System or Plexor® HY System. Amplify up to 15µl of the lysate using a PowerPlex® System.
Y-Screening Application
Traditional serology screening of sexual assault samples is laborious and allows limited sensitivity in comparison to male DNA detection by amplification. Using the Casework Direct no-wash protocol, labs can reduce both cost (labor and reagents) as well as the potential DNA loss typically seen in the DNA extraction step. Additionally, conventional screening results offer analysts little predictive power as to what DNA profile may result. Recognizing the limitations and challenges associated with traditional serology methods, new SWGDAM recommendations are now instructing the use of a “Direct to DNA” approach where DNA analysis is performed before serology to maximize the chances of obtaining CODIS eligible profiles. The figure below demonstrates the successful recovery of male DNA from a series of samples that were processed using the Casework Direct System.
Detection of male DNA in semen dilution series. Dilutions of human semen were spotted on cotton swabs. 400µl of Casework Direct Solution was added to the swab placed in a spin basket assembly, incubated at 70°C for 30 minutes and centrifuged at max speed for 5 min to recover the lysate. 2µl of the lysate was used to quantify the amount of human amplifiable DNA using PowerQuant® System and 0.5ng or maximum volume of lysate was used for STR amplification using PowerPlex® Fusion and PowerPlex® Y23 System. The amplified products were electrophoresed on 3130xl using POP4 with 3kV, 5 sec injection and analyzed on GeneMapper® IDv3.2 with an analysis threshold of 50 RFU. The percentage of alleles called is shown on the left axis and the corresponding template amount on the right y-axis. Less than 0.5ng template amount was available for 1:100 and 1:1000 dilution samples. Profiles were called at all dilution except 1:1000 for PowerPlex® Fusion and Y23.
Casework Trace DNA Samples
For the last few years, law enforcement agencies have seen an uptick in property crime evidence submissions, resulting in the need to use significant laboratory resources to test evidence for trace DNA, such as DNA from microscopic skin cells that naturally rub off when an object, like a car steering wheel, is touched. When DNA is found at a property crime scene, laboratories are often able to match it to a known offender’s sample in CODIS, the national DNA database.
Integration of the Casework Direct System into a laboratory’s workflow provides a rapid and cost effective means to generate, with minimal hands-on time, high quality STR profiles from precious, low abundance samples. When used with the PowerQuant® System, valuable workflow information such as the presence/absence of male DNA degradation or potential PCR inhibition is provided. STR results from several mock casework samples are provided below.
Casework Direct Solution for trace DNA samples. Cotton swabs were used to collect trace DNA samples from steering wheel, computer mouse and cell phone surfaces. 400µl of Casework Direct Solution was added to the swab placed in a spin basket assembly, incubated at 70ºC for 30 minutes and centrifuged at 16,000 × g for 5 minutes to recover the lysate. 2µl of the lysate was used to quantify the amount of human amplifiable DNA using PowerQuant® System and 0.5ng or maximum volume of lysate was used for STR amplification using PowerPlex® Fusion and PowerPlex® Y23 Systems. The amplified products were electrophoresed on the Applied Biosystems® 3500xL Genetic Analyzer using POP4 with 3kV, 5 second injection and analyzed on GeneMapper® IDv3.2 with an analysis threshold of 50 RFU.
Additional Information
Rapid Casework Sample Processing
This white paper describes the developmental validation of the Casework Direct Kit, Custom, for rapid processing of samples ranging from swabs to trace DNA samples.
Rapid, Cost-Effective Processing of Property Crime Samples
This brochure provides an overview on how to use the Casework Direct System to generate high-quality STR profiles from precious, low-abundance samples.
Improve SAEK Processing Efficiency
This brochure highlights using the Casework Direct System for a "Direct-to-DNA" approach, to maximize the chances of obtaining CODIS-eligible profiles.
Stability of Lysates
This white paper presents the results of long-term storage testing at 4°C and 28°C, as well as freeze-thaw studies, of lysates prepared with the Casework Direct System.
Protocols
Complete Protocol
Specifications
Catalog Number:
What's in the box?
| Item | Part # | Size | Available Separately |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Thioglycerol | A208A | 1 × 75μl | |
| 5X AmpSolution™ Reagent | DM123A | 1 × 500μl | View Product |
Casework Direct Reagent |
DM456A | 1 × 100ml | |
|
Water, Amplification Grade |
DW099A | 5 × 1,250μl | View Product |
SDS
Search for SDSCertificate of Analysis
Use Restrictions
Not For Medical Diagnostic Use.Storage Conditions
What's in the box?
| Item | Part # | Size | Available Separately |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Thioglycerol | A208A | 1 × 75μl | |
| 5X AmpSolution™ Reagent | DM123A | 1 × 500μl | View Product |
Casework Direct Reagent |
DM456B | 1 × 10ml | |
|
Water, Amplification Grade |
DW099A | 2 × 1,250μl | View Product |
SDS
Search for SDSCertificate of Analysis
Use Restrictions
Not For Medical Diagnostic Use.Storage Conditions
Related Products
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Frequently Used With
PowerQuant® System
5-color, 4-target probe-based qPCR assay.
PQ5002, PQ5008, DS1221
PowerPlex® Fusion System
Co-amplification and fluorescent detection of 24 loci.
DC2402, DC2408
PowerPlex® Y23 System
5-dye STR multiplex for amplification of 23 Y-STR loci.
DC2305, DC2320, DM6571
Plexor® HY System
qPCR assay for determining male and total human DNA concentrations.
DC1001, DC1000, DC1500
