Decreasing the cycle number to 27 cycles for the NGM1 kit
provided the best results in minimising PCR artefacts. Although
100% success rate was maintained for obtaining a full profile from a
single anagen hair, a decrease in cycle number has not been
validated by the manufacturer and can be time consuming and
expensive for a forensic laboratory to complete in-house.
As not every anagen hair contains the same amount of DNA, the
decrease in cycle number could potentially decrease the success
rate of obtaining a full DNA profile.