Quantification of human DNA by Real Time PCR in forensic casework

We extensively employed a real-time quantitative PCR system, together with a commercially available kit (Quantifilerk Human DNA Quantification Kit, Applied Biosystems), for the quantification of human DNA in a large variety of samples. The results we obtained were reliable, with a low deviation standard for the same sample; however, when the inhibitors in a sample were in high concentration and/or DNA degradation was present (like in postmortem matrices), we observed variable results of quantification in the same extract. Here, we report our experience using this real-time based method for quantification and typing of samples recovered in forensic casework