A Custom Software Solution for Forensic mtDNA Analysis of MiSeq Data

• NCJ Number: 255177
• Date Published: December 2015
• Length: 3 pages
• Author(s): Mitchell Holland; Jennifer McElhoe
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical), Report (Study/Research), Report (Grant Sponsored), Program/Project Description
• Grant Number(s): 2014-DN-BX-K022
• Award: Measuring Rates of mtDNA Heteroplasmy and Assessing Transmission of Variants

Annotation

This article outlines the desired features of a software package for forensic applications, and the progress made towards those aims with the development of a custom version of NextGENe.

Abstract

The use of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach for mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis in forensic casework is imminent. A feature of the NGS approach is the ability to detect and report mtDNA heteroplasmy, which will significantly enhance the discrimination potential of the testing method. The current article addresses the need for a single software solution that allows for robust and user-friendly analysis of NGS-derived mtDNA sequence, especially when considering heteroplasmy. (publisher abstract modified)