Further Development of SNP Panels for Forensics

• NCJ Number: 249548
• Author(s): Kenneth K. Kidd
• Date Published: December 2014
• Length: 78 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-DN-BX-K225
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored)
• Award: Further Development of SNP Panels for Forensics

Annotation

This study builds on the author's previous work by providing improved single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels for forensic applications.

Abstract

This work stems from the belief that SNPs are a largely untapped DNA resource for forensic applications. They offer many advantages over short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) for inferring the ancestry of a DNA sample, for identifying close biological relatives, and eventually for inferring phenotypes such as eye color. In an effort to improve SNP panels for forensic applications, the current project achieved three objectives. First, it improved the previous work's developing ancestry informative (AISNP) panel. Second, it identified a panel of mini-heliotypes and a preliminary set of micro-heliotypes for inference of lineage (clan and extended family) relationships (LISNPS). Third, it provided population genetic background evidence for many phenotype informative markers (PISNPS). The work done has resulted in a panel of 55 Ancestry Informative SNPs, a panel of 25 "unlinked" minihaps, and a preliminary set of 28 microhaps based on SNPs that provide the supporting evidence for the value of SNPs in forensic work. This report emphasizes that continued work on SNP panels offers more than a theoretical possibility of better SNPs for better forensics. By making the data public through the databases created in this project, the researchers hope others will build on what this project has done. 18 figures, 8 tables, 60 references, and a listing of publications that report on this project