Your trusted laboratory for
DNA identification
Forensic Expertise at Your Service
Warnex PRO-DNA Services offers advanced technology
and expertise in the field of forensic DNA testing. We
are the only private laboratory in Canada providing all
four types of forensic DNA analyses: STR, Y-STR,
miniSTR, and mitochondrial DNA. Our qualified
specialists provide results of the highest quality and
give expert testimony for both nuclear and
mitochondrial DNA technologies in Canadian and U.S.
courts of law.
Advances in DNA testing technology make it possible to
match biological evidence to a given individual with
certainty or, conversely, to exclude persons of interest.
Forensic DNA testing can be used for the identification
of criminals or victims in a variety of circumstances,
including homicides, sexual assaults, and other criminal
offences. DNA testing can also assist in the exoneration
of those wrongly convicted.
Contamination Control Facility
Warnex PRO-DNA Services is committed to quality and
accuracy. We have specially designed laboratories,
dedicated equipment, and controlled procedures to
successfully produce probative DNA results. Our
state-of-the-art contamination control facility helps
eliminate potential sources of contamination that could
invalidate test results.
We ensure that samples are controlled by a strict chain
of custody, and our DNA typing procedures use only
internationally recognized and validated genetic
markers – the same used by the RCMP, CFS, SQ and FBI.
Accreditations
• ISO 17025/CAN-P-4E and CAN-P-1578 by the Standards Council of Canada
(see scopes of accreditation at http://palcan.scc.ca under “Warnex PRO-DNA Services”)
• American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board - International ®
(ASCLD/LAB-International ® – see scope of accreditation at http://www.ascld-lab.org/cert/ALI-158-T.pdf)
STR • Y-STR • miniSTR • Mitochondrial DNA
Advanced Technologies
in a Rigorous Environment
STR
STRs are short tandem repeats found in nuclear DNA
which are very variable from one individual to another.
The analysis of several STRs leads to a true genetic
fingerprint that is unique to each individual (except for
identical twins). STR analysis is the standard method
used for determining genetic profiles in forensic cases.
This technology is very precise and requires very small
amounts of DNA.
Y-STR
A Y-STR is a short tandem repeat (STR) located on the
Y chromosome and is used only to detect male DNA.
This technology is particularly useful for the analysis of
evidence with complex mixtures of male and female DNA
since it isolates the male profile (ex. sexual assault
swabs or fingernail clippings where male DNA is present
in trace amounts compared to female DNA).
MiniSTR
MiniSTR is similar to standard STR except that the targeted
regions are of smaller size. Consequently, miniSTR is useful
for the analysis of biological evidence that is found to contain
degraded DNA. MiniSTR allows us to add information to
incomplete genetic profiles or to establish a genetic profile in
cases where standard STR methods failed.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
There are two types of DNA in biological samples:
nuclear DNA (located in the cell’s nucleus) and
mitochondrial DNA (located in the cell’s mitochondria).
Contrary to nuclear DNA which is passed on to children
by both parents, mtDNA is transmitted only by the
mother. A mitochondrial DNA profile can be obtained
from a single cell because there are hundreds of copies
of mitochondrial DNA in a cell compared to only two
copies of nuclear DNA per cell.
MtDNA testing can provide critical results in cases
where nuclear DNA testing is not possible. For example,
mtDNA is used for testing shed hair (without roots)
collected at crime scenes, skeletal remains for the
identification of missing persons, or when a sample
yields insufficient nuclear DNA for STR, miniSTR, or
Y-STR testing. In some cases, mtDNA analysis is the
only method that can be used to obtain genetic
information for the identification of biological evidence.
Evidence/Sample Types
We analyze a wide variety of sample types, including
the following:
• Samples with no nuclear DNA or insufficient DNA
• Shed hairs
• Skeletal remains
• Expended cartridge cases
• Skin cells on any surface
• Blood, saliva, semen and vaginal swabs
• Mixed stains
• Unknown samples to determine if of human origin
Other services
• Paternity, maternity and other relationship testing
• Expert testimony
• Consultation (ex. independent review of reports
from other laboratories)
Warnex is a life sciences company
devoted to protecting public health by providing laboratory services to the
pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
Warnex Analytical Services
Provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with a variety of
quality control services, including chemistry, chromatography,
microbiology, method development and validation, and stability studies.
Warnex Bioanalytical Services
Specializes in bioequivalence and bioavailability studies for clinical trials.
Warnex Medical Laboratories
Provides specialized testing for the healthcare industry as well as
pharmaceutical and central laboratory services.
Warnex PRO-DNA Services
Offers DNA identification tests for paternity, maternity and other family
relationships, as well as for immigration and forensic testing purposes.
1 Cumberland Street South, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7B 2T1
T (807) 344-7666 / 1-877-665-9753 F (807) 344-7800
[email protected]
3885 Industriel Blvd., Laval, Quebec, Canada H7L 4S3
T (450) 663-6724 / 1-888-988-1888 F (450) 663-4428
[email protected]
www.prodna.ca