FAQ

Find out more about FaSTR™ DNA

FaSTR™ DNA developmental validation is available by clicking here(external link)[1]

Find out more about:

• FaSTR™ DNA 1.1.1 (and above) can read .fsa, .hid, and .promega files from the following instruments:

• FaSTR™ DNA is compatible with Windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
• Default analysis methods are available for the following DNA typing kits:

Note: Additional kits can be added manually or using manufacturer supplied bin and panel files. 

• ·      FaSTR™ DNA can detect and filter stutter peaks during analysis and results can be exported with or without the stutter peaks included.   
• ·      The FaSTR™ DNA stutter filters have the option of utilising any combination of the following stutter models:

• The stutter regression and exception files used in FaSTR™ DNA to filter stutter peaks can also be used in STRmix™.
• ·      FaSTR™ DNA can detect and automatically adjust the thresholds for composite stutters (peaks positioned in multiple stutter types). All modelled stutter types (unrestricted) are included in the composite stutter detection.

• FaSTR™ DNA can automatically estimate the number of contributors (NoC) using either the MAC/2 or the Decision Tree methods. Currently, decision trees are available for GlobalFiler™ and PowerPlex® Fusion 6C DNA typing kits. Additional decision trees can be trained, pending availability of sufficient exemplar data.
• Users may also manually assign the NoC, which will supersede the FaSTR™ DNA assigned NoC. 
• The NoC estimation decision path and covariate information are fully auditable via output files. 

• ·      Projects of samples analysed in FaSTR™ DNA can be exported directly into STRmix™ versions 2.5 and above as pre-populated Batch interpretations. FaSTR™ DNA can optionally export samples into Batch Maker (STRmix™ v2.10 and above) for interpretation customisation (e.g. to assign references).
• ·      The NoC assigned in FaSTR™ DNA will automatically be imported into STRmix™. For STRmix™ versions 2.6 and above, NoC values assigned as a range in FaSTR™ DNA will be interpreted in STRmix™ with a variable number of contributors (varNOC).
• FaSTR™ DNA integration validation plans are available for laboratories already using STRmix™. Support assistance is available upon request. 

• ·      Full analysis functionality in FaSTR™ DNA does not require an artificial neural network (ANN). However, when available, the ANN is a helpful tool that can assist users in the determination of peak type assignment as it is able to provide independent peak type classifications of detected peaks.
• ·      Pre-trained neural networks for the classification of GlobalFiler™ and PowerPlex® Fusion 6C DNA typing kits are available.

• ·      Negative controls and/or samples can be compared against other samples within a project or to a database for quality checks.

• The Review module provides a seamless integration of the technical review workflow into the analysis software.
• Designed to assist with the comparison of two FaSTR™ DNA projects containing the same set of samples and analysed using the same method.  
• The Review module is flexible and can be utilised for laboratories with various reader workflows, such as two independent analysts or one analyst with a reviewer.
• Any differences in analysis (e.g. peak label, peak removal/retention, peak nature (allele or stutter), or peak size) will be flagged. Differences at the sample level (e.g. NoC assignment and sample status) are also detected. 
• Reviewers can evaluate the conflicts between the two projects while viewing the samples side-by-side. All sample and peak information is provided, just as it appears in the analysis review screen.
• A report of the review can be generated for audit purposes, documenting edits with analyst ID and time of change.
• A final project can be created from the Review module including electropherogram PDF reports, NoC assignment, and genotypes tables.  Samples can also be sent directly from the review module to STRmix™ for deconvolution.

• ·      FaSTR™ DNA can detect various artefacts (e.g. pull-ups) based on customisable analysis rule settings. Peaks identified as potential artefacts requiring further investigation are marked for review.
• Users also have the option to automatically filter peaks that fall within a specified artefact range. 

• Shortcut keys allow for quick action commands or access to various functions, such as the pull-up investigation screen and visualising raw data.
• Snips (or snapshots) of the graph can be captured and the images added to the end of the sample electropherogram PDF report.
• Informative displays, such as total peak height per locus, total allele count per locus, and maximum allele count for the sample, are available in analysis review screen to optimise efficiency.
• Control concordance is automatically performed, including evaluation of quality markers (for applicable kits) and any number of known control profiles can be added to FaSTR™ DNA.
• Better resolution of in 1bp minor peaks allows for more accurate interpretation of results.