Enhancing and Sustaining the ALFRED-FROG-KB Forensic Resource

As submitted by the proposer: With the introduction of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology into forensics, it seems clear that forensic practice will be using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the near future. Kits are already being introduced to provide relevant information that the current forensic markers, short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs), cannot provide--such as information on ancestry and visible traits such as hair, eye, and skin color. These applications require a large reference database on allele frequencies of SNPs in multiple populations around the world. The existing large database developed at Yale by Prof. K. Kidd and his group and the web interfaces ALFRED (Allele Frequency Database) and FROG-kb (Forensic Resource/Reference on Genetics knowledge base) that allow access to and forensic use of the data will be enhanced with more data and better functionality for use in forensic practice. A new type of marker, microhaplotypes, has been developed especially for MPS and will be powerful for mixture deconvolution. The work over a two-year period will involve ongoing curation and entry of public data into the database. In addition, the web interfaces will have additional search and display functions as well as additional didactic information on aspects of the human population genetics and forensic principles. A major effort will be made to incorporate microhaplotypes into the calculations available in FROG-kb. Additional statistical capability will be incorporated into the FROG-kb interface. These improvements will facilitate the transition to use of SNPs in forensic practice and provide tools for their implementation. At the same time the database structure will be translated into SQL Server to make it easier to find a new host for the data and functions at the end of the project when Prof. Kidd will be retiring. Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law. ca/ncf