STR Profiling and Multiplex Kits (CODIS, PowerPlex, GlobalFiler): Application (UGC-NET Unit III)
Published:
Questions
30
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
17 May 2026
About this mock
Medium-band UGC-NET Forensic Science Unit III drill on short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and the multiplex amplification kits in routine forensic use. The set covers the structure of STR loci (tetranucleotide repeats of 4 bp, with dinucleotide, trinucleotide and pentanucleotide variants), the CODIS 13 original core loci (1997) and the expansion to the CODIS 20 core loci (1 January 2017: addition of D1S1656, D2S441, D2S1338, D10S1248, D12S391, D19S433 and D22S1045), amelogenin for sex typing, and the routine multiplex kits in Indian and international DNA laboratories (PowerPlex Fusion 6C, GlobalFiler, Investigator 24plex, Yfiler Plus). Dye-label chemistry (6-FAM, VIC, NED, TAZ, SID with LIZ as size standard), capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3500 and 3500xL with POP-4 polymer, allele calling against an allelic ladder, stutter peaks at n minus 4 bp, heterozygous peak height ratio above 60 percent, and locus dropout thresholds are tested in applied scenario style. Indian context covers the DNA Data Bank governance under DBT and ICMR, the DNA Profiling Division at CFSL Hyderabad, the NFSU forensic DNA laboratory, and Y-STR work in sexual assault and mass-disaster victim identification.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 3 questions
Butler J M, Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing, Academic Press
Chapter 10, Allele calling against the allelic ladder in STR multiplex kits
- cited in 2 questions
SWGDAM, Interpretation Guidelines for Autosomal STR Typing by Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories
Stochastic threshold logic for homozygous versus heterozygous-with-dropout calling at low template
Open source - cited in 2 questions
Thermo Fisher Scientific, GlobalFiler PCR Amplification Kit User Guide (Pub. No. 4477604)
Electrokinetic injection parameters validated for GlobalFiler STR work on the 3500 / 3500xL platform
Open source - cited in 2 questions
Thermo Fisher Scientific, 3500 / 3500xL Genetic Analyzer User Guide (Pub. No. 4401661)
POP-4 sieving polymer chemistry and run parameters for STR multiplex capillary electrophoresis
Open source - cited in 2 questions
Butler J M, Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Interpretation, Academic Press
Mixture identification and major/minor contributor logic from per-locus peak height ratios
- cited in 1 question
Coble M D and Butler J M, Journal of Forensic Sciences 50 (2005) 43 to 53; Mulero J J et al., JFS 53 (2008) 838 to 852
Mini-STR primer design for degraded DNA: MiniFiler validation and amplicon-size compression
Open source - cited in 1 question
Bessetti J, Profiles in DNA 10(1) (2007) 9 to 10; Opel K L et al., Journal of Forensic Sciences 55 (2010) 25 to 33
PCR inhibitors in forensic STR work: indigo, humic acid, haematin and length-dependent locus dropout
Open source - cited in 1 question
Thermo Fisher Scientific, GlobalFiler Express PCR Amplification Kit User Guide
Direct PCR from FTA paper and buccal swab reference samples: modified polymerase chemistry for STR multiplex kits
Open source - cited in 1 question
Gopinath S et al., Forensic Science International Genetics 24 (2016) 164 to 175
Developmental validation of the Yfiler Plus PCR Amplification Kit: an enhanced Y-STR multiplex for casework and database applications
Open source - cited in 1 question
Qiagen, Investigator 24plex QS Handbook
Six-dye 22-autosomal-locus STR multiplex with quality sensor markers QS1 and QS2 for PCR inhibition detection
Open source - cited in 1 question
Thermo Fisher Scientific, 3500 / 3500xL Genetic Analyzer Spectral Calibration documentation
Spectral pull-up artefacts and matrix calibration in six-dye STR multiplex capillary electrophoresis
Open source - cited in 1 question
Gill P et al., Forensic Science International 112 (2000) 17 to 40; van Oorschot R A H and Jones M K, Nature 387 (1997) 767
Touch DNA and low-template STR profiling: stochastic effects and enhanced sensitivity protocols
Open source - cited in 1 question
FBI Laboratory, CODIS Core STR Loci documentation; Hares D R, Forensic Science International Genetics 17 (2015) 33 to 34
Selection and implementation of the CODIS 13 original core STR loci by the FBI National DNA Index System
Open source - cited in 1 question
Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), CFSL Annual Reports; CDFD Hyderabad publications; NFSU Annual Report
Institutional roles in the Indian forensic DNA ecosystem: CFSL, NFSU, ICMR-CDFD, academic population genetics centres
Open source - cited in 1 question
Hares D R, Forensic Science International Genetics 17 (2015) 33 to 34
Expanded CODIS core loci selection and the 1 January 2017 implementation deadline
Open source - cited in 1 question
Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) DNA technical material; CFSL Annual Reports
Routine STR multiplex workflow at CFSL Hyderabad: PowerPlex Fusion 6C / GlobalFiler on ABI 3500xL
Open source - cited in 1 question
Walsh P S, Fildes N J, Reynolds R, Nucleic Acids Research 24 (1996) 2807 to 2812
Sequence analysis and characterization of stutter products at the tetranucleotide repeat locus vWA
Open source - cited in 1 question
Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Annual Report; DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019
Institutional architecture of Indian forensic DNA laboratories: CFSL, NFSU, state FSLs, DBT-ICMR oversight
Open source - cited in 1 question
NFSU MSc Forensic DNA Profiling syllabus; ENFSI DNA Working Group casework workflow guidelines
Routine STR workflow at Indian DNA reference laboratories: extraction, quantitation, multiplex PCR, CE, allele call, interpretation
- cited in 1 question
Butler J M, Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing, Academic Press; NIST STRBase microvariant catalogue
Off-ladder microvariant alleles at D21S11 and other CODIS STR loci: nomenclature and reporting
Open source - cited in 1 question
Promega Corporation, PowerPlex Fusion 6C System Technical Manual TMD045
Six-dye 24-locus STR multiplex including CODIS 20 core plus Penta D, Penta E, SE33 and DYS391
Open source - cited in 1 question
Sullivan K M, Mannucci A, Kimpton C P, Gill P, BioTechniques 15 (1993) 636 to 641
A rapid and quantitative DNA sex test: fluorescence-based PCR analysis of X-Y homologous gene amelogenin
Open source - cited in 1 question
Gopinath S et al., Forensic Science International Genetics 24 (2016) 164 to 175; Sibille I et al., FSI 125 (2002) 212 to 218
Y-STR multiplex application in sexual assault casework: female-to-male ratio limits and male-fraction recovery
Open source - cited in 1 question
Applied Biosystems, GlobalFiler PCR Amplification Kit User Guide (Pub. No. 4477604)
Six-dye STR multiplex chemistry: spectral assignment FAM, VIC, NED, TAZ, SID and LIZ size standard
Open source
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the STR Profiling and Multiplex Kits (CODIS, PowerPlex, GlobalFiler): Application (UGC-NET Unit III) mock cover?+
Medium-band UGC-NET Forensic Science Unit III drill on short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and the multiplex amplification kits in routine forensic use. The set covers the structure of STR loci (tetranucleotide repeats of 4 bp, with dinucleotide, trinucleotide and pentanucleotide variants), the CODIS 13 original core loci (1997) and the expansion to the CODIS 20 core loci (1 January 2017: addition of D1S1656, D2S441, D2S1338, D10S1248, D12S391, D19S433 and D22S1045), amelogenin for sex typing, a
How many questions and how long is the test?+
30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: medium. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on NET. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.