Abstract: Objective To establish a method for extracting DNA from old bones by AutoMate ExpressTM system. Methods Bones were grinded into powder by freeze-mill. After extraction by AutoMate ExpressTM, DNA were amplified and genotyped by Identifiler?誖Plus and MinFilerTM kits. Results DNA were extracted from 10 old bone samples, which kept in different environments with the postmortem interval from 10 to 20 years, in 3 hours by AutoMate ExpressTM system. Complete STR typing results were obtained from 8 samples. Conclusion AutoMate ExpressTM system can quickly and efficiently extract DNA from old bones, which can be applied in forensic practice.

Key words: forensic genetics, bone, DNA, AutoMate ExpressTM system