Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is used quite frequently for
forensic science application and therefore is commonly used by
forensic or genetic laboratories. Blood and buccal samples are
often used for paternity testing and convicted-felon DNA profile
databases, as these samples are easy to obtain. Samples are
often collected on paper cards, dried and stored. Different
paper cards are available; some, such as FTA® cards, contain
chemicals that lyse cells and preserve DNA, allowing long-term
storage at room temperature. However some cards, such as the
Bode Buccal DNA Collector™ device, contain untreated filter
paper. Therefore, cells are not directly lysed with such
devices. Blood and buccal samples often contain substances that
can inhibit DNA amplification. To remove these inhibitors, a
common method is to extract and purify DNA from the cards, then
proceed with the analysis. The ability to amplify stored DNA
directly would allow the user to get results faster and in a
more efficient way. By eliminating t