Robotic DNA Extraction Utilizing Qiagen BioSprint® 96 Workstation

After an examination of evidentiary or reference samples has been performed, the next step is DNA extraction. This crucial step allows for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to be released from a substrate by use of a series of chemicals and allows the DNA from lysed cells to be taken forward for DNA typing. To allow processing of the increased number of forensic samples submitted for DNA typing, automated systems have become more commonplace within forensic laboratories. The Qiagen BioSprint® 96 workstation utilizes magnetic particle technology (Qiagen, BioSprint® 96 DNA Handbook, 2012) to process a variety of samples, such as liquid blood, blood stain cards, and buccal (saliva) swabs. The following methods outlined within this chapter are based upon the automated DNA extraction of three commonly received types of reference samples (liquid blood, bloodstain cards, and buccal swabs) utilizing the Qiagen BioSprint® 96 DNA Blood Kit.