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3
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TM321 · Revised 4/15
1. Introduction
1.A. Maxwell
®
16 Forensic DNA Purification Procedure
DNA extraction is a critical step in the overall workflow of the forensic laboratory. It is important that the resulting
DNA is of sufficient yield and purity to obtain optimal downstream STR results. The forensic field has unique
challenges due to the sample types that are routinely encountered. These can vary from pristine reference samples
to difficult casework samples, such as blood stains, semen, hair, cigarette butts or touch samples. Additionally, the
number of samples being processed continues to increase, requiring higher throughput options.
The Maxwell
®
16 Forensic Instrument
(a)
eliminates many of the manual, labor-intensive steps of current DNA
extraction methods. The instrument also provides consistent results by reducing the variability inherent in manual
sample processing. It contains preprogrammed purification methods and is designed for use with prefilled reagent
cartridges. The instrument can process up to 16 samples in approximately 30 minutes, and the purified DNA can be
used directly in STR amplifications for forensic profile analysis of database and reference samples or can be quantitated
prior to STR amplification of casework samples. The Maxwell
®
16 Forensic Instrument, combined with the DNA IQ™
Reference Sample Kit and DNA IQ™ Casework Pro Kit, provides an automated DNA extraction system that results in
high-yield, inhibitor-free DNA from a wide variety of sample types.
The Maxwell
®
16 Forensic Instrument is a particle handler that uses paramagnetic particles as a purification medium
to bind and wash nucleic acids. It has two modes for different elution volumes. The Standard Elution Volume (SEV)
mode, used for the DNA IQ™ Reference Sample Kit for Maxwell
®
16 (Cat.# AS1040), and the Low Elution Volume
(LEV) mode, used for the DNA IQ™ Casework Pro Kit for Maxwell
®
16 (Cat.# AS1240). The Maxwell
®
16 Forensic
Instrument provides high-purity nucleic acid that is compatible with standard amplification methods.
The automated steps performed by the Maxwell
®
16 Forensic Instrument include:
•
Binding nucleic acids to paramagnetic particles
•
Washing the nucleic acid bound to the particles away from other cellular components
•
Eluting DNA
The instrument provides a touch screen to navigate, program and run the instrument. It has a UV lamp to aid
instrument decontamination. The Maxwell
®
16 Forensic Instrument, in association with the Maxwell
®
Sample Track
software, has the ability to record and provide run data. It has a USB port that can be used to attach a bar code reader,
allowing sample and reagent information to be entered using bar codes. The Maxwell
®
16 Forensic Instrument can
generate a sample tracking report for each run, and that report can be sent to a printer or computer.
Running the Maxwell
®
16 Forensic Instrument is a simple process. The user selects the protocol to be run, collects the
selected bar code information (optional) and places the samples into the reagent cartridges. The cartridges are placed
into the machine and the door shut. The user then starts the run, which automatically performs the protocol.
Maxwell
®
Sample Track is a communications program that allows downloading and printing of run data
(see Technical Manual #TM314).
