FDSTools: A software package for analysis of massively parallel sequencing data with the ability to recognise and correct STR stutter and other PCR or sequencing noise

Highlights • FDSTools facilitates characterisation and correction of systemic noise in MPS data. • Automatic threshold-based allele calling facilitates analysis of mixed samples. • 450 reference samples and 31 mixtures were analysed with the Powerseq™ Auto System. • FDSTools substantially reduced allele drop-in in mixtures with a 5% minor component. • After noise correction, PCR hybrid artefacts exceeded remaining stutter in mixtures