pcrsim (version 1.0.1)

pcrsim-package: Simulation of the Forensic DNA process

Description

Forensic DNA process simulator.

Details

PCRsim is a package to simulate the forensic DNA process. The function pcrsim opens up a graphical user interface which allow the user to enter parameters required for the simulation. Once calibrated the program can potentially be used to: reduce the laboratory work needed to validate new STR kits, create samples for educational purposes, help develop methods for interpretation of DNA evidence, etc.

This is a first version which is still experimental and under development.

Areas in need of more research are better calibration and more correct scaling to peak heights over a range of input amounts. The current implementation is built to mimic the biological processes as closely as possible and are not suitable for simulation of large number of samples due to performance.

References

Gill, Peter, James Curran, and Keith Elliot. \u0022 A Graphical Simulation Model of the Entire DNA Process Associated with the Analysis of Short Tandem Repeat Loci\u0022 Nucleic Acids Research 33, no. 2 (2005): 632-643. doi:10.1093/nar/gki205.