Forensically relevant SNP classes

Bruce Budowle*, Angela Van Daal

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleResearchpeer-review

229 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Forensic samples that contain too little template DNA or are too degraded require alternate genetic marker analyses or approaches to what is currently used for routine casework. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) offer promise to support forensic DNA analyses because of an abundance of potential markers, amenability to automation, and potential reduction in required fragment length to only 60-80 bp. The SNP markers will serve an important role in analyzing challenging forensic samples, such as those that are very degraded, for augmenting the power of kinship analyses and family reconstructions for missing persons and unidentified human remains, as well as for providing investigative lead value in some cases without a suspect (and no genetic profile match in CODIS). The SNPs for forensic analyses can be divided into four categories: identity-testing SNPs; lineage informative SNPs; ancestry informative SNPs; and phenotype informative SNPs. In addition to discussing the applications of these different types of SNPs, this article provides some discussion on privacy issues so that society and policymakers can be more informed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)603-610
Number of pages8
JournalBioTechniques
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2008

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