Verogen
Inc., the world’s first DNA sequencing company dedicated to forensic
science, announced today that the United States Federal Bureau of
Investigation has approved the company’s next-gen forensic DNA
technology for use by forensic laboratories generating DNA profiles for
upload to the National DNA Index System (NDIS). The FBI manages NDIS to
enable comparison of eligible DNA profiles contributed by participating
federal, state, and municipal forensic laboratories.
Verogen’s MiSeq
FGx® Forensic Genomics System is the first NDIS approved
solution for genomic DNA analysis that harnesses “Next Generation
Sequencing” (NGS) technology to dramatically increase profiling
efficiency and data recovery from biological evidence.
“This is an important advancement,” said Dr. Jenifer Smith, Director of
the Washington, D.C., Department of Forensic Sciences. Dr. Smith’s
laboratory was part of the consortium of forensic U.S. laboratories that
submitted internal validation results to the FBI as part of the NDIS
approval process.
“NGS enables us to efficiently generate more comprehensive and useful
data. This means we will be able to aid more investigations and close
more cases,” Dr. Smith said.
The MiSeq FGx® Forensic Genomics System is a sample-to-answer
workflow including the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit,
MiSeq FGx® sequencing instrument platform, and ForenSeq™ Universal
Analysis Software. The system allows forensic scientists to analyze up
to 231 genomic DNA markers simultaneously—supplying significantly more
actionable data than commonly analyzed using older methods. The Verogen
system can develop more detailed profiles from degraded, mixed, and
limited biological evidence samples, addressing a wider range of
forensic questions in a single test.
With NDIS approval granted, U.S. forensic laboratories can now access a
much larger pool of federal funding administered by the National
Institute of Justice to adopt and implement this powerful crime fighting
tool.
“Obtaining NDIS approval is an enormous step forward for the forensic
genomics community, and for mainstream adoption of this technology,”
said Brett Williams, Verogen CEO. “Verogen is proud to advance the
transition of NGS technology from a visionary method to a fully
validated, NDIS-approved tool for forensic science.”
The MiSeq FGx® Forensic Genomics System is available
worldwide. It has been approved for use in the national DNA databases of
France and the Netherlands—and now the United States.
About Verogen, Inc.
Verogen
is committed to public safety and justice for all. Headquartered in the
San Diego area, we serve those who pursue the truth using genetic tools.
Powered by gold standard Illumina sequencing technology and working in
partnership with forensic laboratories, Verogen is advancing science to
unlock the true potential of forensic genomics. For more information,
visit www.verogen.com.
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For Research, Forensic and Paternity Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic
procedures.
© 2019 Verogen, Inc. All rights reserved.
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