DNA should be as intact as possible. Degraded DNA should be avoided.
An archival record (e.g. photograph) of each electrophoretic run should be retained.
The performance of probes and primers should be fully validated and characterised before they are put into use. Others should be used only for research purposes.
Reagents (e.g. chemicals, enzymes) should be stored and utilised under conditions recommended by the manufacturer, including, for example, storage temperature, test temperature, shelf life, diluent buffer and concentration for use.
Each lot of reagents must be tested before use in routine typing.
For reagents and kits, the source, lot number, expiration date and storage conditions should be documented.
Users should have procedures to ensure that periodic checks of probes and primers are carried out to detect their deteriorating performance or contamination.
Thermal cyclers should be serviced at least annually according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and a temperature calibration should be performed. A record of the service and calibration checks should be maintained.
Laboratories should regularly check their primer sequences for newly discovered single nucleotide polymorphisms. This can be done by checking the National Genetic Reference Laboratory website at https://ngrl.manchester.ac.uk/SNPCheckV3/snpcheck.htm