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Bodnar SR, Smith C, Alsharji AA, Moroose T, Venter C, Iyengar A. DNA typing of cyanoacrylate fumed latent fingerprints using GlobalFiler™ and ForenSeq™ Signature Prep kits. J Forensic Sci 2024; 69:1706-1717. [PMID: 38940006 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
DNA typing of latent fingerprints is highly desirable to increase chances of individualization. We recovered DNA from Cyanoacrylate (CA) fumed fingerprints and used both GlobalFiler™ and ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kits for DNA typing. For GlobalFiler™, samples were processed using a protocol modified for Low Template (LT)-DNA samples (half-volume reactions, 30 cycles) while for ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep, samples were processed using a standard protocol and fluorometer-based library quantitation. We evaluated genotyping success and quality of profiles in terms of completeness, Peak Height Ratio/Allele Coverage Ratio, presence of PCR artifacts and drop-in alleles. With GlobalFiler™, average autosomal STR (aSTR) profile completeness was 44.4% with 2-20 pg, 54.3% with 22-60 pg, and 95% with 64-250 pg DNA input. CODIS uploadable profiles were obtained in 2/10, 3/11, and 11/12 samples in these ranges. With ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep, average aSTR profile completeness was 19.7% with 1-20 pg and 45.2% with 22-47 pg but increased to 78.3% with 68-122 pg and 86.7% with 618-1000 pg DNA input. Uploadable profiles were obtained in 0/12, 4/11, 4/7, and 3/3 samples for these ranges. Results show very high sensitivity using both kits. Half-volume reactions and 30 cycles had minimal negative effect on Globalfiler™ profile quality, providing support for wider use after validation experiments to routinely improve results from LT samples. A standard protocol for the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit was also highly successful with LT DNA obtained from CA-fumed fingerprints with additional information from isometric STR alleles and other markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Bodnar
- Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Coral Smith
- Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Alekhlas A Alsharji
- Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Tina Moroose
- Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Casper Venter
- Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Arati Iyengar
- Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
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2
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Guo LL, Yuan JH, Zhang C, Zhao J, Yao YR, Guo KL, Meng Y, Ji AQ, Kang KL, Wang L. Developmental validation of the STRSeqTyper122 kit for massively parallel sequencing of forensic STRs. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1255-1264. [PMID: 38416217 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03195-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Massively parallel sequencing allows for integrated genotyping of different types of forensic markers, which reduces DNA consumption, simplifies experimental processes, and provides additional sequence-based genetic information. The STRseqTyper122 kit genotypes 63 autosomal STRs, 16 X-STRs, 42 Y-STRs, and the Amelogenin locus. Amplicon sizes of 117 loci were below 300 bp. In this study, MiSeq FGx sequencing metrics for STRseqTyper122 were presented. The genotyping accuracy of this kit was examined by comparing to certified genotypes of NIST standard reference materials and results from five capillary electrophoresis-based kits. The sensitivity of STRseqTyper122 reached 125 pg, and > 80% of the loci were correctly called with 62.5 pg and 31.25 pg input genomic DNA. Repeatability, species specificity, and tolerance for DNA degradation and PCR inhibitors of this kit were also evaluated. STRseqTyper122 demonstrated reliable performance with routine case-work samples and provided a powerful tool for forensic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Liang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Jia-Hui Yuan
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Yi-Ren Yao
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Ke-Li Guo
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Yang Meng
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - An-Quan Ji
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China.
| | - Ke-Lai Kang
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China.
| | - Le Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100038, China.
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China.
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3
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Fan H, Xu Y, Zhao Y, Feng K, Hong L, Zhao Q, Lu X, Shi M, Li H, Wang L, Wen S. Development and validation of YARN: A novel SE-400 MPS kit for East Asian paternal lineage analysis. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2024; 71:103029. [PMID: 38518712 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat polymorphisms (Y-STRs) and Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (Y-SNPs) are valuable genetic markers used in paternal lineage identification and population genetics. Currently, there is a lack of an effective panel that integrates Y-STRs and Y-SNPs for studying paternal lineages, particularly in East Asian populations. Hence, we developed a novel Y-chromosomal targeted panel called YARN (Y-chromosome Ancestry and Region Network) based on multiplex PCR and a single-end 400 massive parallel sequencing (MPS) strategy, consisting of 44 patrilineage Y-STRs and 260 evolutionary Y-SNPs. A total of 386 reactions were validated for the effectiveness and applicability of YARN according to SWGDAM validation guidelines, including sensitivity (with a minimum input gDNA of 0.125 ng), mixture identification (ranging from 1:1-1:10), PCR inhibitor testing (using substances such as 50 μM hematin, 100 μM hemoglobin, 100 μM humic acid, and 2.5 mM indigo dye), species specificity (successfully distinguishing humans from other animals), repeatability study (achieved 100% accuracy), and concordance study (with 99.91% accuracy for 1121 Y-STR alleles). Furthermore, we conducted a pilot study using YARN in a cohort of 484 Han Chinese males from Huaiji County, Zhaoqing City, Guangdong, China (GDZQHJ cohort). In this cohort, we identified 52 different Y-haplogroups and 73 different surnames. We found weak to moderate correlations between the Y-haplogroups, Chinese surnames, and geographical locations of the GDZQHJ cohort (with λ values ranging from 0.050 to 0.340). However, when we combined two different categories into a new independent variable, we observed stronger correlations (with λ values ranging from 0.617 to 0.754). Overall, the YARN panel, which combines Y-STR and Y-SNP genetic markers, meets forensic DNA quality assurance guidelines and holds potential for East Asian geographical origin inference and paternal lineage analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoliang Fan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China.
| | - Yiran Xu
- Institute of Archaeological Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Yutao Zhao
- Public Security Bureau of Zhaoqing Municipality, Zhaoqing 526000, China.
| | - Kai Feng
- Duanzhou Branch of Zhaoqing Public Security Bureau, Zhaoqing 526060, China.
| | - Liuxi Hong
- Sihui Public Security Bureau of Guangdong Province, Zhaoqing 526299, China.
| | - Qiancheng Zhao
- Public Security Bureau of Zhaoqing Municipality, Zhaoqing 526000, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Lu
- Deepreads Biotech Company Limited, Guangzhou 510663, China.
| | - Meisen Shi
- Criminal Justice College of China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing 100088, China.
| | - Haiyan Li
- Criminal Technology Center of Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Guangzhou 510050, China.
| | - Lingxiang Wang
- MOE Laboratory for National Development and Intelligent Governance, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Shaoqing Wen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Institute of Archaeological Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; MOE Laboratory for National Development and Intelligent Governance, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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4
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Sharma V, Wurmbach E. Systematic evaluation of the Precision ID GlobalFiler™ NGS STR panel v2 using single-source samples of various quantity and quality and mixed DNA samples. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2024; 69:102995. [PMID: 38065030 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) techniques were developed approximately 15 years ago. Meanwhile, several MPS kits for forensic identification, phenotypic information, ancestry, and mitochondrial DNA analysis have been developed and their use has been established. Sequencing short tandem repeats (STRs) has certain advantages over the currently used length-based genotyping methods, which are based on PCR amplification followed by capillary electrophoresis (CE). MPS is more discriminative and includes the possibility of testing high numbers of targets (> 100), different types of markers [STRs and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)], as well as the use of smaller amplicons (< 300 bp). This study evaluated in 24 experimental runs the Precision ID GlobalFiler™ NGS STR panel v2 from ThermoFisher, which targets 31 autosomal STRs, amelogenin, and three Y-markers (one STR, SRY, and Yindel). Single-source samples were used in 18 experimental runs, for systematic evaluation. These included assessing library preparation benchmark conditions, limited DNA input, as well as testing repeatability, number of samples per run, and degraded DNA samples. Full profiles were consistently obtained from as little as 50 pg DNA input. Using the optional recovery PCR method improved outcomes for samples with low DNA input. Full profiles were also obtained from severely degraded DNA samples with degradation indices (DI) of > 60. In addition, six experimental runs were performed testing various two-person mixtures with mixture ratios ranging from 1:20 to 20:1. Major and minor contributors were distinguishable by their read counts (coverage), because less DNA input yielded lower read counts, analogous to the traditional CE technology, where less DNA produces lower peak heights. Mixture ratios of approximately 1:1 were indistinguishable, while a greater imbalance, i.e., higher mixture ratios, made the mixture more distinguishable between major and minor contributors. Based on this information, the highest success rate of correctly deconvoluted four-allelic loci was from mixtures with 1:3 ratios. At higher mixture ratios, the drop-out rate of the minor contributor increased, reducing the number of four-allelic loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishakha Sharma
- New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Department of Forensic Biology, 421 East 26th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Elisa Wurmbach
- New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Department of Forensic Biology, 421 East 26th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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5
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Aneli S, Fariselli P, Chierto E, Bini C, Robino C, Birolo G. Recombulator-X: A fast and user-friendly tool for estimating X chromosome recombination rates in forensic genetics. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011474. [PMID: 37721960 PMCID: PMC10538763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic markers (especially short tandem repeats or STRs) located on the X chromosome are a valuable resource to solve complex kinship cases in forensic genetics in addition or alternatively to autosomal STRs. Groups of tightly linked markers are combined into haplotypes, thus increasing the discriminating power of tests. However, this approach requires precise knowledge of the recombination rates between adjacent markers. The International Society of Forensic Genetics recommends that recombination rate estimation on the X chromosome is performed from pedigree genetic data while taking into account the confounding effect of mutations. However, implementations that satisfy these requirements have several drawbacks: they were never publicly released, they are very slow and/or need cluster-level hardware and strong computational expertise to use. In order to address these key concerns we developed Recombulator-X, a new open-source Python tool. The most challenging issue, namely the running time, was addressed with dynamic programming techniques to greatly reduce the computational complexity of the algorithm. Compared to the previous methods, Recombulator-X reduces the estimation times from weeks or months to less than one hour for typical datasets. Moreover, the estimation process, including preprocessing, has been streamlined and packaged into a simple command-line tool that can be run on a normal PC. Where previous approaches were limited to small panels of STR markers (up to 15), our tool can handle greater numbers (up to 100) of mixed STR and non-STR markers. In conclusion, Recombulator-X makes the estimation process much simpler, faster and accessible to researchers without a computational background, hopefully spurring increased adoption of best practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Aneli
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Piero Fariselli
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Chierto
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Carla Bini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Robino
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- S.C. Medicina Legale, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birolo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Kiesler KM, Borsuk LA, Steffen CR, Vallone PM, Gettings KB. US Population Data for 94 Identity-Informative SNP Loci. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051071. [PMID: 37239431 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) analyzed a set of 1036 samples representing four major US population groups (African American, Asian American, Caucasian, and Hispanic) with 94 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) used for individual identification (iiSNPs). The compact size of iiSNP amplicons compared to short tandem repeat (STR) markers increases the likelihood of successful amplification with degraded DNA samples. Allele frequencies and relevant forensic statistics were calculated for each population group as well as the aggregate population sample. Examination of sequence data in the regions flanking the targeted SNPs identified additional variants, which can be combined with the target SNPs to form microhaplotypes (multiple phased SNPs within a short-read sequence). Comparison of iiSNP performance with and without flanking SNP variation identified four amplicons containing microhaplotypes with observed heterozygosity increases of greater than 15% over the targeted SNP alone. For this set of 1036 samples, comparison of average match probabilities from iiSNPs with the 20 CODIS core STR markers yielded an estimate of 1.7 × 10-38 for iiSNPs (assuming independence between all 94 SNPs), which was four orders of magnitude lower (more discriminating) than STRs where internal sequence variation was considered, and 10 orders of magnitude lower than STRs using established capillary electrophoresis length-based genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Kiesler
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mailstop 8314, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Lisa A Borsuk
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mailstop 8314, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Carolyn R Steffen
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mailstop 8314, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Peter M Vallone
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mailstop 8314, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Katherine B Gettings
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mailstop 8314, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
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7
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Guo F, Liu Z, Long G, Zhang B, Dong X, Liu D, Yu S. High-resolution genotyping of 58 STRs in 635 Northern Han Chinese with MiSeq FGx ® Forensic Genomics System. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 65:102879. [PMID: 37150076 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Sequence polymorphisms were characterized at 27 autosomal STRs (A-STRs), 7 X chromosomal STRs (X-STRs), and 24 Y chromosomal STRs (Y-STRs) in 635 Northern Han Chinese with the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit on the MiSeq FGx Forensic Genomics System. Since repeat region (RR) and flanking region (FR) variation can be detected by massively parallel sequencing (MPS), the increase in the number of unique alleles and the average of gene diversity was 78.18% and 3.51% between sequence and length, respectively. A total of 74 novel RR variants were identified at 33 STRs compared with STRSeq and previous studies, and 13 FR variants (rs1770275883, rs2053373277, rs2082557941, rs1925525766, rs1926380862, rs1569322793, rs2051848492, rs2051848696, rs2016239814, rs2053269960, rs2044518192, rs2044536444, and rs2089968964) were first submitted to dbSNP. Also, 99.94% of alleles were concordant between the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit and commercial CE kits. Discordance resulted from the low performance at D22S1045 and occasionally at DYS392, flanking region deletions at D7S820 and DXS10074, and the strict alignment algorithm at DXS7132. Null alleles at DYS505 and DYS448 and multialleles at DYS387S1a/b, DYS385a/b, DYS448, DYS505, DXS7132, and HPRTB were validated with other MPS and CE kits. Thus, a high-resolution sequence-based (SB) and length-based (LB) allele frequencies dataset from Northern Han Chinese has been established already. As expected, forensic parameters increased significantly on combined power of discrimination (PD) and combined power of exclusion (PE) at A-STRs, mildly on combined PD and combined mean exclusion chance (MEC) at X-STRs, and barely on discrimination capacity (DC) at Y-STRs. Additionally, MiSeq FGx quality metrics and MPS performance were evaluated in this study, which presented the high-quality of the dataset at 20 consecutive runs, such as ≥ 60% bases with a quality score of 20 or higher (%≥ Q20), > 60% of effective reads, > 2000 × of depth of coverage (DoC), ≥ 60% of allele coverage ratio (ACR) or heterozygote balance, ≥ 70% of inter-locus balance, and ≤ 0.4 of the absolute value of observed minus expected heterozygosity (|Hexp - Hobs|). In conclusion, MiSeq FGx can help us generate a high-resolution and high-quality dataset for human identification and population genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Guo
- School of Forensic Science and Technology, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang, Liaoning 110854, PR China.
| | - Ze Liu
- DNA Laboratory of Forensic Science Center, Shenyang Public Security Bureau, Shenyang, Liaoning 110002, PR China
| | - Guannan Long
- DNA Laboratory of Forensic Science Center, Shenyang Public Security Bureau, Shenyang, Liaoning 110002, PR China
| | - Biao Zhang
- DNA Laboratory of Forensic Science Center, Shenyang Public Security Bureau, Shenyang, Liaoning 110002, PR China
| | - Xinyu Dong
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, PR China
| | - Dahua Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, PR China
| | - Shaobo Yu
- DNA Laboratory of Forensic Science Center, Shenyang Public Security Bureau, Shenyang, Liaoning 110002, PR China.
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Stephens KM, Barta R, Fleming K, Perez JC, Wu SF, Snedecor J, Holt CL, LaRue B, Budowle B. Developmental validation of the ForenSeq MainstAY kit, MiSeq FGx sequencing system and ForenSeq Universal Analysis Software. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 64:102851. [PMID: 36907074 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
For human identification purposes, forensic genetics has primarily relied upon a core set of autosomal (and to a lesser extent Y chromosome) short tandem repeat (STR) markers that are enriched by amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that are subsequently separated and detected using capillary electrophoresis (CE). While STR typing conducted in this manner is well-developed and robust, advances in molecular biology that have occurred over the last 15 years, in particular massively parallel sequencing (MPS) [1-7], offer certain advantages as compared to CE-based typing. First and foremost is the high throughput capacity of MPS. Current bench top high throughput sequencers enable larger batteries of markers to be multiplexed and multiple samples to be sequenced simultaneously (e.g., millions to billions of nucleotides can be sequenced in one run). Second, compared to the length-based CE approach, sequencing STRs increases discrimination power, enhances sensitivity of detection, reduces noise due to instrumentation, and improves mixture interpretation [4,8-23]. Third, since detection of STRs is based on sequence and not fluorescence, amplicons can be designed that are shorter in length and of similar lengths among loci, where possible, which can improve amplification efficiency and analysis of degraded samples. Lastly, MPS offers a single format approach that can be applied to analysis of a wide variety of genetic markers of forensic interest (e.g., STRs, mitochondrial DNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion/deletions). These features make MPS a desirable technology for casework [14,15,24,25-48]. The developmental validation of the ForenSeq MainstAY library preparation kit with the MiSeq FGx Sequencing System and ForenSeq Universal Software is reported here to assist with validation of this MPS system for casework [49]. The results show that the system is sensitive, accurate and precise, specific, and performs well with mixtures and mock case-type samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richelle Barta
- Verogen, Inc., 11111 Flintkote Ave., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Keenan Fleming
- Verogen, Inc., 11111 Flintkote Ave., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | - Shan-Fu Wu
- Verogen, Inc., 11111 Flintkote Ave., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - June Snedecor
- Verogen, Inc., 11111 Flintkote Ave., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Cydne L Holt
- Verogen, Inc., 11111 Flintkote Ave., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Bobby LaRue
- Verogen, Inc., 11111 Flintkote Ave., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Bruce Budowle
- University of Helsinki, Department of Forensic Medicine, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki 00014, Finland
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9
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Poethe SS, Holtel J, Biermann JP, Riemer T, Grabmüller M, Madea B, Thiele R, Jäger R. Cost-Effective Next Generation Sequencing-Based STR Typing with Improved Analysis of Minor, Degraded and Inhibitor-Containing DNA Samples. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043382. [PMID: 36834791 PMCID: PMC9960623 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Forensic DNA profiles are established by multiplex PCR amplification of a set of highly variable short tandem repeat (STR) loci followed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) as a means to assign alleles to PCR products of differential length. Recently, CE analysis of STR amplicons has been supplemented by high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques that are able to detect isoalleles bearing sequence polymorphisms and allow for an improved analysis of degraded DNA. Several such assays have been commercialised and validated for forensic applications. However, these systems are cost-effective only when applied to high numbers of samples. We report here an alternative, cost-efficient shallow-sequence output NGS assay called maSTR assay that, in conjunction with a dedicated bioinformatics pipeline called SNiPSTR, can be implemented with standard NGS instrumentation. In a back-to-back comparison with a CE-based, commercial forensic STR kit, we find that for samples with low DNA content, with mixed DNA from different individuals, or containing PCR inhibitors, the maSTR assay performs equally well, and with degraded DNA is superior to CE-based analysis. Thus, the maSTR assay is a simple, robust and cost-efficient NGS-based STR typing method applicable for human identification in forensic and biomedical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara-Sophie Poethe
- Institute for Functional Gene Analytics, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Julia Holtel
- Institute for Functional Gene Analytics, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Jan-Philip Biermann
- Institute for Functional Gene Analytics, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Trine Riemer
- Department of Natural Sciences, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, von-Liebig Str. 20, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Experimental Neonatology, Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Melanie Grabmüller
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111 Bonn, Germany
| | - Burkhard Madea
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ralf Thiele
- Institute for Functional Gene Analytics, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
- Computer Science Department, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences, Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Richard Jäger
- Institute for Functional Gene Analytics, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
- Department of Natural Sciences, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, von-Liebig Str. 20, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany
- Institute of Safety and Security Research, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences, Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
- Correspondence:
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10
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Recommendations for the successful identification of altered human remains using standard and emerging technologies: Results of a systematic approach. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 62:102790. [PMID: 36272213 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2022.102790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Successful DNA-based identification of altered human remains relies on the condition of the corpses and varies between tissue types. Therefore, the aim of this prospective multicenter study was to generate evidence-based recommendations for the successful identification of altered remains. For this, 19 commonly used soft and hard tissues from 102 altered human bodies were investigated. The corpses' condition was categorized into three anatomical regions using a practical scoring system. Besides other data, DNA yields, degradation indices, and short tandem repeat (STR) profile completeness were determined in 949 tissue samples. Additionally, varying degrees of alteration and tissue-specific differences were evaluated using the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform MiSeq FGx™. Selected challenging samples were sequenced in parallel with the Ion S5™ platform to assess platform-specific performances in the prediction of the deceased's phenotype and the biogeographic ancestry. Differences between tissue types and DNA extraction methods were found, revealing, for example, the lowest degradation for vertebral disc samples from corpses with initiating, advanced and high degrees of decomposition. With respect to STR profile completeness, blood samples outperformed all other tissues including even profoundly degraded corpses. NGS results revealed higher profile completeness compared to standard capillary electrophoresis (CE) genotyping. Per sample, material and degradation degree, a probability for its genotyping success, including the "extended" European Standard Set (eESS) loci, was provided for the forensic community. Based on the observations, recommendations for the alteration-specific optimal tissue types were made to improve the first-attempt identification success of altered human remains for forensic casework.
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Foley MM. Next-Generation Sequencing: ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit with the Illumina MiSeq FGx. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2685:397-427. [PMID: 37439995 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3295-6_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Sequencing forensic DNA samples that are amplified and prepared with the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit allows for the simultaneous targeting of forensically relevant STR and SNP markers. The MiSeq™ FGx system allows massively parallel sequencing of these markers in a single analysis. The library preparation targets autosomal, Y-, and X-STRs, as well as identity SNPs. The kit can also be used to generate investigative information regarding the DNA contributor by analyzing phenotypic SNPs to predict hair color, eye color, and ancestry SNPs.Through two rounds of amplification, all loci are amplified and tagged with individualizing barcodes for sequencing capture and identification. Using bead-based technology, the libraries are purified by the removal of left-over amplification reagents and then normalized to ensure equal representation of all samples during sequencing. The individual libraries are then pooled for insertion into the MiSeq FGx. The pooled libraries are then added to a pre-packaged cartridge that contains all reagents necessary for optimal sequencing. Libraries are captured on a flow cell and undergo bridge amplification for the generation of individual clusters. Sequencing of each cluster is performed using a Sequence-By-Synthesis technology. The following chapter describes the methodology and process of library preparation of samples using the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit Primer Set A and B. Once completed, the chapter then focuses on the setup of a sequencing run on the MiSeq FGx and the sequencing methodology employed by the instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Foley
- Department of Forensic Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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Zupanič Pajnič I, Previderè C, Zupanc T, Zanon M, Fattorini P. Isometric artifacts from polymerase chain reaction‐massively parallel sequencing analysis of short tandem repeat loci: An emerging issue from a new technology? Electrophoresis 2022; 43:1521-1530. [PMID: 35358339 PMCID: PMC9543752 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The recent introduction of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technologies in forensics has changed the approach to allelic short tandem repeat (STR) typing because sequencing cloned PCR fragments enables alleles with identical molecular weights to be distinguished based on their nucleotide sequences. Therefore, because PCR fidelity mainly depends on template integrity, new technical issues could arise in the interpretation of the results obtained from the degraded samples. In this work, a set of DNA samples degraded in vitro was used to investigate whether PCR‐MPS could generate “isometric drop‐ins” (IDIs; i.e., molecular products having the same length as the original allele but with a different nucleotide sequence within the repeated units). The Precision ID GlobalFiler NGS STR panel kit was used to analyze 0.5 and 1 ng of mock samples in duplicate tests (for a total of 16 PCR‐MPS analyses). As expected, several well‐known PCR artifacts (such as allelic dropout, stutters above the threshold) were scored; 95 IDIs with an average occurrence of 5.9 IDIs per test (min: 1, max: 11) were scored as well. In total, IDIs represented one of the most frequent artifacts. The coverage of these IDIs reached up to 981 reads (median: 239 reads), and the ratios with the coverage of the original allele ranged from 0.069 to 7.285 (median: 0.221). In addition, approximately 5.2% of the IDIs showed coverage higher than that of the original allele. Molecular analysis of these artifacts showed that they were generated in 96.8% of cases through a single nucleotide change event, with the C > T transition being the most frequent (85.7%). Thus, in a forensic evaluation of evidence, IDIs may represent an actual issue, particularly when DNA mixtures need to be interpreted because they could mislead the operator regarding the number of contributors. Overall, the molecular features of the IDIs described in this work, as well as the performance of duplicate tests, may be useful tools for managing this new class of artifacts otherwise not detected by capillary electrophoresis technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Zupanič Pajnič
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Faculty of Medicine University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Carlo Previderè
- Department of Public Health Experimental and Forensic Medicine Section of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences University of Pavia Pavia Italy
| | - Tomaž Zupanc
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Faculty of Medicine University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Martina Zanon
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Paolo Fattorini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health University of Trieste Trieste Italy
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Senst A, Caliebe A, Scheurer E, Schulz I. Validation and beyond: Next generation sequencing of forensic casework samples including challenging tissue samples from altered human corpses using the MiSeq FGx system. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1382-1398. [PMID: 35318655 PMCID: PMC9313618 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The proceeding developments in next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies enable increasing discrimination power for short tandem repeat (STR) analyses and provide new possibilities for human identification. Therefore, the growing relevance and demand in forensic casework display the need for reliable validation studies and experiences with challenging DNA samples. The presented validation of the MiSeq FGx system and the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit (1) investigated sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, concordance, pooling variations, DNA extraction method variances, DNA mixtures, degraded, and casework samples and (2) optimized the sequencing workflow for challenging samples from human corpses by testing additional PCR purification, pooling adjustments, and adapter volume reductions. Overall results indicate the system's reliability in concordance to traditional capillary electrophoresis (CE)‐based genotyping and reproducibility of sequencing data. Genotyping success rates of 100% were obtained down to 62.5 pg DNA input concentrations. Autosomal STR (aSTR) profiles of artificially degraded samples revealed significantly lower numbers of locus and allelic dropouts than CE. However, it was observed that the system still exposed drawbacks when sequencing highly degraded and inhibited samples from human remains. Due to the lack of studies evaluating the sequencing success of samples from decomposed or skeletonised corpses, the presented optimisation studies provide valuable recommendations such as an additional PCR purification, an increase in library pooling volumes, and a reduction of adapter volumes for samples with concentrations ≥31.2 pg. Thus, this research highlights the importance of all‐encompassing validation studies for implementing novel technologies in forensic casework and presents recommendations for challenging samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Senst
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amke Caliebe
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University and University-Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Eva Scheurer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iris Schulz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Basel, Switzerland
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Moon MH, Hong SR, Shin KJ. Sequence Variations of 31 Υ-Chromosomal Short Tandem Repeats Analyzed by Massively Parallel Sequencing in Three U.S. Population Groups and Korean Population. J Korean Med Sci 2022; 37:e40. [PMID: 35166077 PMCID: PMC8845103 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapidly mutating (RM) Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) have been demonstrated to increase the possibility of distinguishing between male relatives due to a higher mutation rate than conventional Y-STRs. Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) can be useful for forensic DNA typing as it allows the detection of sequence variants of many forensic markers. Here, we present sequence variations of 31 Y-STRs including nine RM Y-STRs (DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, and DYS627), their frequencies, distribution, and the gain in the number of alleles using MPS. METHODS We constructed a multiplex MPS assay capable of simultaneously amplifying 32 Y-chromosomal markers, producing amplicons ranging from 85-274 bp. Barcoded libraries from 220 unrelated males from four populations-African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, and Koreans-were generated via two-step polymerase chain reaction and sequenced on a MiSeq system. Genotype concordance between the capillary electrophoresis (CE) and MPS method and sequence variation of Y-STRs were investigated. RESULTS In total, 195 alleles were increased by MPS compared to CE-based alleles (261 to 456). The DYS518 marker showed the largest increase due to repeat region variation (a 3.69-fold increase). The highest increase in the number of alleles due to single nucleotide polymorphisms in the flanking region was found in DYF399S1. RM Y-STRs had more diverse sequences than conventional Y-STRs. Furthermore, null alleles were observed in DYS576 due to primer-binding site mutation, and allele drop-outs in DYS449 resulted from low marker coverage of less than the threshold. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the expanded and discriminative MPS assay could provide more genetic information for Y-STRs, especially for RM Y-STRs, and could advance male individualization. Compiling sequence-based Y-STR data for worldwide populations would facilitate the application of MPS in the field of forensic genetics and could be applicable in solving male-related forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Hyeon Moon
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sae Rom Hong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Jin Shin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
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Improving the regional Y-STR haplotype resolution utilizing haplogroup-determining Y-SNPs and the application of machine learning in Y-SNP haplogroup prediction in a forensic Y-STR database: A pilot study on male Chinese Yunnan Zhaoyang Han population. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 57:102659. [PMID: 35007855 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Improving the resolution of the current widely used Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) dataset is of great importance for forensic investigators, and the current approach is limited, except for the addition of more Y-STR loci. In this research, a regional Y-DNA database was investigated to improve the Y-STR haplotype resolution utilizing a Y-SNP Pedigree Tagging System that includes 24 Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphism (Y-SNP) loci. This pilot study was conducted in the Chinese Yunnan Zhaoyang Han population, and 3473 unrelated male individuals were enrolled. Based on data on the male haplogroups under different panels, the matched or near-matching (NM) Y-STR haplotype pairs from different haplogroups indicated the critical roles of haplogroups in improving the regional Y-STR haplotype resolution. A classic median-joining network analysis was performed using Y-STR or Y-STR/Y-SNP data to reconstruct population substructures, which revealed the ability of Y-SNPs to correct misclassifications from Y-STRs. Additionally, population substructures were reconstructed using multiple unsupervised or supervised dimensionality reduction methods, which indicated the potential of Y-STR haplotypes in predicting Y-SNP haplogroups. Haplogroup prediction models were built based on nine publicly accessible machine-learning (ML) approaches. The results showed that the best prediction accuracy score could reach 99.71% for major haplogroups and 98.54% for detailed haplogroups. Potential influences on prediction accuracy were assessed by adjusting the Y-STR locus numbers, selecting Y-STR loci with various mutabilities, and performing data processing. ML-based predictors generally presented a better prediction accuracy than two available predictors (Nevgen and EA-YPredictor). Three tree models were developed based on the Yfiler Plus panel with unprocessed input data, which showed their strong generalization ability in classifying various Chinese Han subgroups (validation dataset). In conclusion, this study revealed the significance and application prospects of Y-SNP haplogroups in improving regional Y-STR databases. Y-SNP haplogroups can be used to discriminate NM Y-STR haplotype pairs, and it is important for forensic Y-STR databases to develop haplogroup prediction tools to improve the accuracy of biogeographic ancestry inferences.
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Tao R, Xu Q, Wang S, Xia R, Yang Q, Chen A, Qu Y, Lv Y, Zhang S, Li C. Pairwise kinship analysis of 17 pedigrees using massively parallel sequencing. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 57:102647. [PMID: 34902810 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
With the tremendous development of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) in the last decade, it has been widely applied in basic science, clinical diagnostics, microbial genomics, as well as forensic genetics. MPS has lots of advantages that may facilitate the kinship analysis. In this study, 243 Chinese Han individuals from 17 families were involved and sequenced using the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit (Verogen, Inc., San Diego, USA), which provided the sequence information of 27 autosomal STRs (A-STRs), 7 X chromosomal STRs (X-STRs), 24 Y chromosomal STRs (Y-STRs) and 94 identity-informative SNPs (iSNPs). A total of 275 pairs of parent-child, 123 pairs of full siblings, 1 pair of twins, 1 pair of half siblings, 158 pairs of grandparent-grandchild, 222 pairs of uncle/aunt-nephew/niece and 121 pairs of first cousins, as well as 701 pairs of unrelated individuals were identified. Using both likelihood ratio (LR) and identical by state (IBS) methods, the kinship analysis was conducted among these relative and non-relative pairs based on the A-STRs and SNPs. As a result, the ForenSeq Signature Kit could solve the analysis of parent-child (t1 = -4, t2 = 4), full siblings (t1 = -2, t2 = 2) and most second-degree kinships (t1 = -1, t2 = 1) using the LR method. When the IBS method was applied, 123 full sibling pairs had a higher average IBS value than other kinship groups in this study. And the IBS method could play a role in the testing of parent-child and full siblings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyang Tao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Qiannan Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China; Institute of Forensic Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Shouyu Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Ruocheng Xia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Qi Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Anqi Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China; Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yiling Qu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China; Department of Forensic Science, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Yehui Lv
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Suhua Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China.
| | - Chengtao Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China.
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Chen C, Jin X, Zhang X, Zhang W, Guo Y, Tao R, Chen A, Xu Q, Li M, Yang Y, Zhu B. Comprehensive Insights Into Forensic Features and Genetic Background of Chinese Northwest Hui Group Using Six Distinct Categories of 231 Molecular Markers. Front Genet 2021; 12:705753. [PMID: 34721519 PMCID: PMC8555763 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.705753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hui minority is predominantly composed of Chinese-speaking Islamic adherents distributed throughout China, of which the individuals are mainly concentrated in Northwest China. In the present study, we employed the length and sequence polymorphisms-based typing system of 231 molecular markers, i.e., amelogenin, 22 phenotypic-informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (PISNPs), 94 identity-informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (IISNPs), 24 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs), 56 ancestry-informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (AISNPs), 7 X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs), and 27 autosomal short tandem repeats (A-STRs), into 90 unrelated male individuals from the Chinese Northwest Hui group to comprehensively explore its forensic characteristics and genetic background. Total of 451 length-based and 652 sequence-based distinct alleles were identified from 58 short tandem repeats (STRs) in 90 unrelated Northwest Hui individuals, denoting that the sequence-based genetic markers could pronouncedly provide more genetic information than length-based markers. The forensic characteristics and efficiencies of STRs and IISNPs were estimated, both of which externalized high polymorphisms in the Northwest Hui group and could be further utilized in forensic investigations. No significant departure from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) expectation was observed after the Bonferroni correction. Additionally, four group sets of reference population data were exploited to dissect the genetic background of the Northwest Hui group separately from different perspectives, which contained 26 populations for 93 IISNPs, 58 populations for 17 Y-STRs, 26 populations for 55 AISNPs (raw data), and 109 populations for 55 AISNPs (allele frequencies). As a result, the analyses based on the Y-STRs indicated that the Northwest Hui group primarily exhibited intimate genetic relationships with reference Hui groups from Chinese different regions except for the Sichuan Hui group and secondarily displayed close genetic relationships with populations from Central and West Asia, as well as several Chinese groups. However, the AISNP analyses demonstrated that the Northwest Hui group shared more intimate relationships with current East Asian populations apart from reference Hui group, harboring the large proportion of ancestral component contributed by East Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoye Jin
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xingru Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuxin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ruiyang Tao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Anqi Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiannan Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bofeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Multi-Omics Innovative Research Center of Forensic Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhao GB, Ma GJ, Zhang C, Kang KL, Li SJ, Wang L. BGISEQ-500RS sequencing of a 448-plex SNP panel for forensic individual identification and kinship analysis. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 55:102580. [PMID: 34454122 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Next generation sequencing (NGS)-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping is widely used in the field of forensics. SNP genotyping data from several NGS platforms have been published, but forensic application trials of DNA nanoball sequencing platforms have been very limited. In this work, we developed a 448-plex SNP panel on the BGISEQ-500RS platform. The sequencing metrics of a total of 261 samples that were sequenced with this panel are reported in detail. The average sequencing depth was 8373 × and the average heterozygosity of the 448-plex assay was 0.85. Sensitivity analysis showed that 325 SNPs were successfully genotyped with as little as 50 pg of genomic DNA, with the mean quality score of the sequencing data above Q30. Forensic parameters were calculated based on the data of 142 unrelated Chinese Han individuals and the combined matching probability was as low as 5.21 × 10-101. Kinship analyses based on experiments and computer simulations showed that the 448-panel was as effective as the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit for second-degree kinship identification, and when the two panels were merged, the related pairs were almost completely distinguished from unrelated pairs. The 448-plex SNP panel on the BGISEQ-500RS platform provides a powerful tool for forensic individual identification and kinship analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Bin Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Guan-Ju Ma
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Ke-Lai Kang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Shu-Jin Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050017, China.
| | - Le Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100038, China.
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Tie J, Uchigasaki S, Isobe E. Evaluation and SNP typing of DNA from ultraviolet-irradiated human bloodstains using TaqMan assay. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8029. [PMID: 33850175 PMCID: PMC8044161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87313-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
When detecting DNA profiles from forensic materials, it is pivotal to know the extent of degradation and which DNA marker can be genotyped. Ultraviolet (UV) is one of the common external factors that causes DNA damage, through which, an attempt to reveal cardinal genetic information can be made. In this study, after irradiation with three different UV wavelengths, UV-damaged DNA in the bloodstains was analyzed with long and short TaqMan assays using real-time PCR. In addition, both short tandem repeat (STR) profiles and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the damaged DNA at different stages of UV exposure were also assessed. With increasing in UV irradiation cycles, there was a delay of the amplification curves accompanied with a decrease in the DNA amounts collected. Despite the amplification of STR genotype was not altered after 75 cycles of UVC irradiation, all 12 SNP loci could still be detected. Furthermore, a short-assay line was detected in the absence of an amplification of the evaluation curve. The results indicate that, although the DNA template might not be useful and suitable for analysis of STR profile, this approach is of some values in detecting SNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Tie
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 1738610, Japan.
| | - Seisaku Uchigasaki
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 1738610, Japan
| | - Eiji Isobe
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 1738610, Japan
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The forensic landscape and the population genetic analyses of Hainan Li based on massively parallel sequencing DNA profiling. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:1295-1317. [PMID: 33847803 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02590-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Due to the formation of the Qiongzhou Strait by climate change and marine transition, Hainan island was isolated from the mainland southern China during the Last Glacial Maximum. Hainan island, located at the southernmost part of China and separated from the Leizhou Peninsula by the Qiongzhou Strait, laid on one of the modern human northward migration routes from Southeast Asia to East Asia. The Hlai language-speaking Li minority, the second largest population after Han Chinese in Hainan island, is the direct descendants of the initial migrants in Hainan island and has unique ethnic properties and derived characteristics; however, the forensic-associated studies on Hainan Li population are still insufficient. Hence, 136 Hainan Li individuals were genotyped in this study using the MPS-based ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit (DNA Primer Set A, DPMA) to characterize the forensic genetic polymorphism landscape, and DNA profiles were obtained from 152 different molecular genetic markers (27 autosomal STRs, 24 Y-STRs, 7 X-STRs, and 94 iiSNPs). A total of 419 distinct length variants and 586 repeat sequence sub-variants, with 31 novel alleles (at 17 loci), were identified across the 58 STR loci from the DNA profiles of Hainan Li population. We evaluated the forensic characteristics and efficiencies of DPMA, demonstrating that the STRs and iiSNPs in DPMA were highly polymorphic in Hainan Li population and could be employed in forensic applications. In addition, we set up three datasets, which included the genetic data of (i) iiSNPs (27 populations, 2640 individuals), (ii) Y-STRs (42 populations, 8281 individuals), and (iii) Y haplogroups (123 populations, 4837 individuals) along with the population ancestries and language families, to perform population genetic analyses separately from different perspectives. In conclusion, the phylogenetic analyses indicated that Hainan Li, with a southern East Asia origin and Tai-Kadai language-speaking language, is an isolated population relatively. But the genetic pool of Hainan Li influenced by the limited gene flows from other Tai-Kadai populations and Hainan populations. Furthermore, the establishment of isolated population models will be beneficial to clarify the exquisite population structures and develop specific genetic markers for subpopulations in forensic genetic fields.
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Li H, Zhang C, Song G, Ma K, Cao Y, Zhao X, Yang Q, Xie J. Concordance and characterization of massively parallel sequencing at 58 STRs in a Tibetan population. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1626. [PMID: 33630413 PMCID: PMC8123751 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is a promising supplementary method for forensic casework in short tandem repeats (STRs) genotyping, owing to several advantageous features in comparison to traditional capillary electrophoresis (CE). However, the application of MPS in casework requires accessible datasets from the worldwide population to enrich the allele frequencies of sequence-based STR genotypes. METHODS In this study, we report the characterization of sequence-based allele frequencies of 58 STRs from a Tibetan population comprising 120 unrelated individuals using the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit. A concordance study evaluating MPS and CE allele data was performed to ensure that MPS is compatible with current CE-based forensic databases. The diversity of observed alleles, allele frequencies, and forensic parameters per locus by length (LB), sequence without flanking region (RSB), and sequence with flanking region (FSB) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS The concordance study demonstrated a concordance rate exceeding 99%. The combined random match probability (RMP) for the 26 A-STRs was 2.04 × 10-29 , 1.93 × 10-31 , and 9.56 × 10-33 for LB, RSB, and FSB, respectively. Similar trends were observed in other forensic parameters resulting from the increase in the number of unique alleles available. A total of 111 and 113 unique haplotypes in the Y-STR loci were observed when using length-based and sequence-based alleles, respectively. In addition, we identified 35 novel alleles at 25 loci and 25 polymorphisms in the flanking regions at 17 STRs. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that MPS- and CE-derived alleles are compatible. MPS-based analysis of the STR data substantially increased the allele diversity and improved the forensic parameters, which clearly demonstrated the advantages of MPS in comparison to CE. With more pooled data and larger-scale validation, MPS could play a valuable role in forensic genetics and might be an additional tool for routine casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Forensic MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene EvidenceShanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and TechnologyShanghai Municipal Public Security BureauShanghaiChina
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Center for Material EvidenceTibet Autonomous Region Public SecurityLhasa, TibetChina
| | - Guoqing Song
- Laboratory of Forensic Evidence and Science TechnologyXianyang Municipal Public Security BureauXianyangShaanxiChina
| | - Ke Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene EvidenceShanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and TechnologyShanghai Municipal Public Security BureauShanghaiChina
| | - Yu Cao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene EvidenceShanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and TechnologyShanghai Municipal Public Security BureauShanghaiChina
| | - Xueying Zhao
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology EducationSchool of Life SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qinrui Yang
- Department of Forensic MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jianhui Xie
- Department of Forensic MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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King JL, Woerner AE, Mandape SN, Kapema KB, Moura-Neto RS, Silva R, Budowle B. STRait Razor Online: An enhanced user interface to facilitate interpretation of MPS data. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 52:102463. [PMID: 33493821 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Since 2013, STRait Razor has enabled analysis of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) data from various marker systems such as short tandem repeats, single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion/deletions, and mitochondrial DNA. In this paper, STRait Razor Online (SRO), available at https://www.unthsc.edu/straitrazor, is introduced as an interactive, Shiny-based user interface for primary analysis of MPS data and secondary analysis of STRait Razor haplotype pileups. This software can be accessed from any common browser via desktop, tablet, or smartphone device. SRO is available also as a standalone application and open-source R script available at https://github.com/ExpectationsManaged/STRaitRazorOnline. The local application is capable of batch processing of both fastq files and primary analysis output. Processed batches generate individual report folders and summary reports at the locus- and haplotype-level in a matter of minutes. For example, the processing of data from ∼700 samples generated with the ForenSeq Signature Preparation Kit from allsequences.txt to a final table can be performed in ∼40 min whereas the Excel-based workbooks can take 35-60 h to compile a subset of the tables generated by SRO. To facilitate analysis of single-source, reference samples, a preliminary triaging system was implemented that calls potential alleles and flags loci suspected of severe heterozygote imbalance. When compared to published, manually curated data sets, 98.72 % of software-assigned allele calls without manual interpretation were consistent with curated data sets, 0.99 % loci were presented to the user for interpretation due to heterozygote imbalance, and the remaining 0.29 % of loci were inconsistent due to the analytical thresholds used across the studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L King
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
| | - August E Woerner
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Sammed N Mandape
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Kapema Bupe Kapema
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | | | - Rosane Silva
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bruce Budowle
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
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Li J, Lin L, Jiang B, Wang C, Zeye MMJ, Wen D, He W, Qu W, Liu Y, Zha L. An 18 Multi-InDels panel for analysis of highly degraded forensic biological samples. Electrophoresis 2021; 42:1143-1152. [PMID: 33382915 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202000245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
DNA genotyping from trace and highly degraded biological samples is one of the most significant challenges of forensic DNA identification. There is a lack of simple and effective methods for genotyping highly degraded samples. In this study, a multiple loci insertion/deletion polymorphisms (Multi-InDels) panel was designed for detecting 18 autosomal Multi-InDels through capillary electrophoresis (CE) with amplicon sizes no longer than 125 bp. Studies of sensitivity, degradation, and species specificity were performed and a population study was carried out using 192 samples from Han populations in Hunan province in the south of China. The combined random match probability (CMP) of these 18 Multi-InDels was 3.23 × 10-12 and the cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) was 0.9989, suggesting this panel could be used independently for human identification and could provide efficient supporting information for parentage testing. Complete profiles were obtained from as low as 62.5 pg of total input DNA after increasing the number of PCR cycles. Moreover, all alleles were detected from artificially highly degraded DNA after 80 min of boiling water bath treatment. This 18 Multi-InDels panel is simple, fast, and effective for the forensic analysis of highly degraded DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jienan Li
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Lin Lin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Fujian Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Bowei Jiang
- The first Research Institute of the Ministry of public security P.R.C., Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chudong Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Moutanou Modeste Judes Zeye
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wen
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Weifeng Qu
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Lagabaiyila Zha
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
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DNA typing from skeletal remains: a comparison between capillary electrophoresis and massively parallel sequencing platforms. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:2029-2035. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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25
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Turchi C, Previderè C, Bini C, Carnevali E, Grignani P, Manfredi A, Melchionda F, Onofri V, Pelotti S, Robino C, Sorçaburu-Ciglieri S, Tagliabracci A, Fattorini P. Assessment of the Precision ID Identity Panel kit on challenging forensic samples. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 49:102400. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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26
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Strategy for STR typing of bones from the Second World War combining CE and NGS technology: A pilot study. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 50:102401. [PMID: 33171316 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The genetic identification of skeletal remains found in Second World War mass graves is complicated because of the poor quality of the samples. The aim of this study was to set up a workflow for STR typing of such samples combining PCR/CE and PCR/NGS technologies. To this end, 57 DNA samples from an equal number of 75-year-old femurs were studied. After a first round of PCR typing using GlobalFiler CE, 42 samples yielded a full profile and were therefore submitted to our standard workflow. The 15 samples that yielded no or a limited number (2-17/21) of autosomal STR markers as well four bone control samples that provided a full profile with the conventional PCR/CE test were typed in duplicate by the GlobalFiler NGS kit. Despite the degradation of the samples, which resulted in lower coverage and a lower % of on-target reads, reliable sequencing data were obtained from 16/19 samples. The use of a threshold of 30× for the locus call led to a consensus profile (cp) of 20-31/31 STR autosomal loci in 10 samples and to a cp of 8-10/31 loci in two samples, whereas the four control samples yielded a cp of 26-31/31 loci. Finally, the data of the NGS typing were combined with those of the CE typing. This last task allowed us to recover (on average) three alleles per sample and to increase the number of the heterozygous patterns in 37 cases. In total, the combined approach proposed here made possible the genetic typing of 65-100% of the autosomal STR markers in 10/15 (66.6 %) skeletal remains that yielded no or very poor results with the conventional PCR/CE approach. However, because several artefacts (such as allelic drop-out and allelic drop-in) were scored, the risk of mistyping cannot be neglected.
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Gorden EM, Sturk-Andreaggi K, Warnke-Sommer J, Hazelwood A, Barritt-Ross S, Marshall C. Next generation sequencing of STR artifacts produced from historical bone samples. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 49:102397. [PMID: 33017798 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
STR artifacts are commonly observed in electrophoretic data and can complicate interpretation of the profiles produced. Even when a consensus approach is applied, reproducible artifacts have the potential to convolute the analysis. DNA obtained from historical bone samples is often heavily degraded and damaged, requiring the use of more sensitive procedures to increase allele recovery. Additionally, skeletal remains exposed to environmental conditions may be afflicted with microbial DNA contamination that cross-reacts with the primers during short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex amplification. STR artifacts manifested as a result of these circumstances can be sourced and characterized using new sequencing technologies to potentially ease the analysis burden. For this study, PCR product from 17 low-quality bone samples exhibiting reproducible autosomal and Y-chromosomal STR (Y-STR) artifacts in capillary electrophoresis (CE) data were sequenced with next generation sequencing (NGS). Sequenced reads were bioinformatically sorted using STRait Razor to determine the authenticity of alleles and confirm the profile generated by CE. Sequence data from the PCR products and a subset of the associated extracts were further analyzed with Kaiju to classify the microbial species present and identify potential sources of artifact peaks. A suspected Y-STR artifact was similar in sequence to Pseudomonas sp. BAY1663, a species ubiquitously found in soil. Regions of homology were observed between the Pseudomonas genome and the presumed primer binding locations for Y-STRs included in the AmpFlSTR Y-Filer STR kit. Characterization of such supposed artifact peaks may aid in interpretation of CE data and ultimately lead to increased confidence in the reported results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Gorden
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System's Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, USA; SNA International, Contractor Supporting the AFMES-AFDIL and the DPAA, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Kimberly Sturk-Andreaggi
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System's Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, USA; SNA International, Contractor Supporting the AFMES-AFDIL and the DPAA, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Julia Warnke-Sommer
- SNA International, Contractor Supporting the AFMES-AFDIL and the DPAA, Alexandria, Virginia, USA; Defense Personnel Accounting Agency (DPAA), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA
| | - Amy Hazelwood
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System's Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, USA; SNA International, Contractor Supporting the AFMES-AFDIL and the DPAA, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Suzanne Barritt-Ross
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System's Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, USA
| | - Charla Marshall
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System's Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, USA; SNA International, Contractor Supporting the AFMES-AFDIL and the DPAA, Alexandria, Virginia, USA.
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28
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Identification of sequence polymorphisms at 58 STRs and 94 iiSNPs in a Tibetan population using massively parallel sequencing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12225. [PMID: 32699278 PMCID: PMC7376188 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69137-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) has rapidly become a promising method for forensic DNA typing, due to its ability to detect a large number of markers and samples simultaneously in a single reaction, and sequence information can be obtained directly. In the present study, two kinds of forensic genetic markers, short tandem repeat (STR) and identity-informative single nucleotide polymorphism (iiSNP) were analyzed simultaneously using ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit, a commercially available kit on MPS platform. A total of 152 DNA markers, including 27 autosomal STR (A-STR) loci, 24 Y chromosomal STR (Y-STR) loci, 7 X chromosomal STR (X-STR) loci and 94 iiSNP loci were genotyped for 107 Tibetan individuals (53 males and 54 females). Compared with length-based STR typing methods, 112 more A-STR alleles, 41 more Y-STR alleles, and 24 more X-STR alleles were observed at 17 A-STRs, 9 Y-STRs, and 5 X-STRs using sequence-based approaches. Thirty-nine novel sequence variations were observed at 20 STR loci. When the flanking regions were also analyzed in addition to target SNPs at the 94 iiSNPs, 38 more alleles were identified. Our study provided an adequate genotype and frequencies data of the two types of genetic markers for forensic practice. Moreover, we also proved that this panel is highly polymorphic and informative in Tibetan population, and should be efficient in forensic kinship testing and personal identification cases.
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Evaluation of the VISAGE Basic Tool for Appearance and Ancestry Prediction Using PowerSeq Chemistry on the MiSeq FGx System. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060708. [PMID: 32604780 PMCID: PMC7349024 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of DNA to predict externally visible characteristics (EVCs) and the biogeographical ancestry (BGA) from unknown samples is gaining relevance in forensic genetics. Technical developments in Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) enable the simultaneous analysis of hundreds of DNA markers, which improves successful Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP). The EU-funded VISAGE (VISible Attributes through GEnomics) Consortium has developed various targeted MPS-based lab tools to apply FDP in routine forensic analyses. Here, we present an evaluation of the VISAGE Basic tool for appearance and ancestry prediction based on PowerSeq chemistry (Promega) on a MiSeq FGx System (Illumina). The panel consists of 153 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that provide information about EVCs (41 SNPs for eye, hair and skin color from HIrisPlex-S) and continental BGA (115 SNPs; three overlap with the EVCs SNP set). The assay was evaluated for sensitivity, repeatability and genotyping concordance, as well as its performance with casework-type samples. This targeted MPS assay provided complete genotypes at all 153 SNPs down to 125 pg of input DNA and 99.67% correct genotypes at 50 pg. It was robust in terms of repeatability and concordance and provided useful results with casework-type samples. The results suggest that this MPS assay is a useful tool for basic appearance and ancestry prediction in forensic genetics for users interested in applying PowerSeq chemistry and MiSeq for this purpose.
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Delest A, Godfrin D, Chantrel Y, Ulus A, Vannier J, Faivre M, Hollard C, Laurent FX. Sequenced-based French population data from 169 unrelated individuals with Verogen's ForenSeq DNA signature prep kit. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 47:102304. [PMID: 32417726 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) applied to forensic genetics allows the simultaneous analysis of hundreds of genetic markers and the access to full amplicon sequences which help to increase available allele diversity. Meanwhile, sequence variation within the repeat regions represents the majority of the allele diversity, flanking regions adjacent to the repeat core provide an additional degree of variation. The forensic genetics community needs access to population data, from relevant parts of the world that contain this new sequence diversity in order to perform statistical calculations. In this study, we report sequence-based Short Tandem Repeat (STR) and identity Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (iSNPs) allele data for 169 French individuals across 58 STRs and 92 SNPs included in the Verogen ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep kit. 42 STRs out of 58 showed an increased number of alleles due to sequence variation in the repeat motif and/or the flanking regions. D9S1122 showed the largest overall gain with an increase of observed heterozygosities of almost 25 %. The combined match probability combining 27 autosomal STRs and 91 identity SNPs was 1.11E-69. Sequence-based allele frequencies included in this publication will help forensic laboratories to increase the power of discrimination for identification, kinship analysis and mixture interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Delest
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France.
| | - Dominique Godfrin
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France
| | - Yann Chantrel
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France
| | - Ayhan Ulus
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France
| | - Julien Vannier
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France
| | - Magalie Faivre
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France
| | - Clémence Hollard
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France
| | - François-Xavier Laurent
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue, Franklin Roosevelt, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France.
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Sharma V, van der Plaat DA, Liu Y, Wurmbach E. Analyzing degraded DNA and challenging samples using the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit. Sci Justice 2020; 60:243-252. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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32
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Pairwise kinship testing with a combination of STR and SNP loci. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 46:102265. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Kukla-Bartoszek M, Szargut M, Pośpiech E, Diepenbroek M, Zielińska G, Jarosz A, Piniewska-Róg D, Arciszewska J, Cytacka S, Spólnicka M, Branicki W, Ossowski A. The challenge of predicting human pigmentation traits in degraded bone samples with the MPS-based HIrisPlex-S system. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 47:102301. [PMID: 32387914 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Identification of human remains is an important part of human DNA analysis studies. STR and mitochondrial DNA markers are well suited for the analysis of degraded biological samples including bone material. However, these DNA markers may be useless when reference material is not available. In these cases, predictive DNA analysis can support the process of human identification by providing investigative leads. Forensic DNA phenotyping has progressed significantly by offering new methods based on massively parallel sequencing technology, but the frequent degradation processes observed in skeletal remains can make analysis of such samples challenging. In this study, we demonstrate the usefulness of a recently established Ion AmpliSeqTM HIrisPlex-S panel using Ion Torrent technology for analyzing bone samples that show different levels of DNA degradation. In total, 63 bone samples at post-mortem intervals up to almost 80 years were genotyped and eye, hair and skin colour predictions were performed using the HIrisPlex-S models. Following the recommended coverage thresholds, it was possible to establish full DNA profiles comprising of 41 DNA variants for 35 samples (55.6%). For 5 samples (7.9%) no DNA profiles were generated. The remaining 23 samples (36.5%) produced partial profiles and showed a clear underperformance of 3 HIrisPlex-S SNPs - rs1545397 (OCA2), rs1470608 (OCA2) and rs10756819 (BNC2), all used for skin colour prediction only. None of the 23 samples gave complete genotypes needed for skin colour prediction was obtained, and in 7 of them (25.9%) the 3 underperformed SNPs were the cause. At the same time, the prediction of eye and hair colour using complete IrisPlex and HIrisPlex profiles could be made for these 23 samples in 20 (87.0%) and 12 cases (52.2%), respectively. Complete HIrisPlex-S profiles were generated from as little as 49 pg of template DNA. Five samples for which the HIrisPlex-S analysis failed, consistently failed in standard STR analysis. Importantly, the 3 underperforming SNPs produced significantly lower number of reads in good quality samples. Nonetheless, the AUC loss resulting from missing data for these 3 SNPs is not considered large (≤0.004) and the prediction of pigmentation from partial profiles is also available in the current HPS tool. The study shows that DNA degradation and the resulting loss of data are the most serious challenge to DNA phenotyping of skeletal remains. Although the newly developed HIrisPlex-S panel has been successfully validated in the current research, primer redesign for the 3 underperforming SNPs in the MPS design should be considered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kukla-Bartoszek
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa St. 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland; Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa St. 7A, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria Szargut
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland; The Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarianism Victims, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ewelina Pośpiech
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa St. 7A, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Diepenbroek
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland; The Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarianism Victims, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland; Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität München, Nußbaumstr. 26, 80336, München, Germany
| | - Grażyna Zielińska
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland; The Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarianism Victims, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agata Jarosz
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa St. 7A, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Danuta Piniewska-Róg
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka St. 16, 31-531, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Arciszewska
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland; The Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarianism Victims, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sandra Cytacka
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland; The Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarianism Victims, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Magdalena Spólnicka
- Biology Department, Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police, Aleje Ujazdowskie 7, 00-583, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Wojciech Branicki
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa St. 7A, 30-387, Kraków, Poland; Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka St. 16, 31-531, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Ossowski
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland; The Polish Genetic Database of Totalitarianism Victims, Powstancow Wlkp. St. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
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Hwa HL, Wu MY, Lee JCI, Yin HI, Hsu PM, Li SF, Hwu WL, Su CW. Analysis of nondegraded and degraded DNA mixtures of close relatives using massively parallel sequencing. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2020; 42:101631. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.101631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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35
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Zupanič Pajnič I, Obal M, Zupanc T. Identifying victims of the largest Second World War family massacre in Slovenia. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 306:110056. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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36
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Dealing with low amounts of degraded DNA: Evaluation of SNP typing of challenging forensic samples by using massive parallel sequencing. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL GENETICS SUPPLEMENT SERIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2019.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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37
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Müller P, Sell C, Hadrys T, Hedman J, Bredemeyer S, Laurent FX, Roewer L, Achtruth S, Sidstedt M, Sijen T, Trimborn M, Weiler N, Willuweit S, Bastisch I, Parson W. Inter-laboratory study on standardized MPS libraries: evaluation of performance, concordance, and sensitivity using mixtures and degraded DNA. Int J Legal Med 2019; 134:185-198. [PMID: 31745634 PMCID: PMC6949318 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02201-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We present results from an inter-laboratory massively parallel sequencing (MPS) study in the framework of the SeqForSTRs project to evaluate forensically relevant parameters, such as performance, concordance, and sensitivity, using a standardized sequencing library including reference material, mixtures, and ancient DNA samples. The standardized library was prepared using the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit (primer mix A). The library was shared between eight European laboratories located in Austria, France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Sweden to perform MPS on their particular MiSeq FGx sequencers. Despite variation in performance between sequencing runs, all laboratories obtained quality metrics that fell within the manufacturer’s recommended ranges. Furthermore, differences in locus coverage did not inevitably adversely affect heterozygous balance. Inter-laboratory concordance showed 100% concordant genotypes for the included autosomal and Y-STRs, and still, X-STR concordance exceeded 83%. The exclusive reasons for X-STR discordances were drop-outs at DXS10103. Sensitivity experiments demonstrated that correct allele calling varied between sequencing instruments in particular for lower DNA amounts (≤ 125 pg). The analysis of compromised DNA samples showed the drop-out of one sample (FA10013B01A) while for the remaining three degraded DNA samples MPS was able to successfully type ≥ 87% of all aSTRs, ≥ 78% of all Y-STRs, ≥ 68% of all X-STRs, and ≥ 92% of all iSNPs demonstrating that MPS is a promising tool for human identity testing, which in return, has to undergo rigorous in-house validation before it can be implemented into forensic routine casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Müller
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstraße 44, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Thorsten Hadrys
- Institute of Forensic Sciences, DNA Department, Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Hedman
- Swedish National Forensic Centre (NFC), Linköping, Sweden.,Applied Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Steffi Bredemeyer
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francois-Xavier Laurent
- Institut National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, Ecully Cedex, France
| | - Lutz Roewer
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Achtruth
- The Police President in Berlin, Forensic Science Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maja Sidstedt
- Swedish National Forensic Centre (NFC), Linköping, Sweden.,Applied Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Titia Sijen
- Biological Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute, Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497 GB, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Trimborn
- The Police President in Berlin, Forensic Science Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalie Weiler
- Biological Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute, Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497 GB, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Sascha Willuweit
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Walther Parson
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstraße 44, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Forensic Science Program, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
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38
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England R, Harbison S. A review of the method and validation of the MiSeq FGx™ Forensic Genomics Solution. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/wfs2.1351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan England
- Forensic Science Program, School of Chemical Sciences University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
| | - Sallyann Harbison
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd Auckland New Zealand
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39
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Hollard C, Ausset L, Chantrel Y, Jullien S, Clot M, Faivre M, Suzanne É, Pène L, Laurent FX. Automation and developmental validation of the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Preparation kit for high-throughput analysis in forensic laboratories. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2019; 40:37-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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40
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The impact of common PCR inhibitors on forensic MPS analysis. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2019; 40:182-191. [PMID: 30878722 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Massively parallel sequencing holds great promise for new possibilities in the field of forensic genetics, enabling simultaneous analysis of multiple markers as well as offering enhanced short tandem repeat allele resolution. A challenge in forensic DNA analysis is that the samples often contain low amounts of DNA in a background that may interfere with downstream analysis. PCR inhibition mechanisms of some relevant molecules have been studied applying e.g. real-time PCR and digital PCR. However, a detailed understanding of the effects of inhibitory molecules on forensic MPS, including mechanisms and ways to relieve inhibition, is missing. In this study, the effects of two well-characterized PCR inhibitors, humic acid and hematin, have been studied using the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep kit. Humic acid and hematin resulted in lowered read numbers as well as specific negative effects on certain markers. Quality control of libraries with Fragment analyzer showed that increasing amounts of inhibitors caused a lowered amplicon quantity and that the larger amplicons were more likely to drop out. Further, the inhibitor tolerance could be improved 5-10 times by addition of bovine serum albumin in the initial PCR. On the contrary to the samples with inhibitors, low-template samples resulted in lowered read numbers for all markers. This difference strengthened the conclusion that the inhibitors have a negative effect on the DNA polymerase activity in the initial PCR. Additionally, a common capillary gel electrophoresis-based STR kit was shown to handle at least 200 times more inhibitors than the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep kit. This suggests that there is room for improvement of the PCR components to ensure analytical success for challenging samples, which is needed for a broad application of MPS for forensic STR analysis.
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41
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Sharma V, Jani K, Khosla P, Butler E, Siegel D, Wurmbach E. Evaluation of ForenSeq™ Signature Prep Kit B on predicting eye and hair coloration as well as biogeographical ancestry by using Universal Analysis Software (UAS) and available web‐tools. Electrophoresis 2019; 40:1353-1364. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vishakha Sharma
- Office of Chief Medical ExaminerDepartment of Forensic Biology New York NY USA
| | - Krupa Jani
- Office of Chief Medical ExaminerDepartment of Forensic Biology New York NY USA
| | - Pavan Khosla
- Office of Chief Medical ExaminerDepartment of Forensic Biology New York NY USA
| | - Erin Butler
- Office of Chief Medical ExaminerDepartment of Forensic Biology New York NY USA
| | - Donald Siegel
- Office of Chief Medical ExaminerDepartment of Forensic Biology New York NY USA
| | - Elisa Wurmbach
- Office of Chief Medical ExaminerDepartment of Forensic Biology New York NY USA
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42
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Li R, Li H, Peng D, Hao B, Wang Z, Huang E, Wu R, Sun H. Improved pairwise kinship analysis using massively parallel sequencing. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2019; 38:77-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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43
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Hwa HL, Wu MY, Chung WC, Ko TM, Lin CP, Yin HI, Lee TT, Lee JCI. Massively parallel sequencing analysis of nondegraded and degraded DNA mixtures using the ForenSeq™ system in combination with EuroForMix software. Int J Legal Med 2018; 133:25-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1961-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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44
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Zhang Q, Zhou Z, Liu Q, Liu L, Shao L, Zhang M, Ding X, Gao Y, Wang S. Evaluation of the performance of Illumina's ForenSeq™ system on serially degraded samples. Electrophoresis 2018; 39:2674-2684. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhen Zhang
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Zhe Zhou
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Qiqi Liu
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Liyan Liu
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Liting Shao
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Minli Zhang
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Xiaoran Ding
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Yue Gao
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
| | - Shengqi Wang
- The Genomics Center of the AMMS; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing P. R. China
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45
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Inter-laboratory validation study of the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2018; 36:77-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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46
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King JL, Churchill JD, Novroski NM, Zeng X, Warshauer DH, Seah LH, Budowle B. Increasing the discrimination power of ancestry- and identity-informative SNP loci within the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2018; 36:60-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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47
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Salvador JM, Apaga DLT, Delfin FC, Calacal GC, Dennis SE, De Ungria MCA. Filipino DNA variation at 12 X-chromosome short tandem repeat markers. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2018; 36:e8-e12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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48
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Systematic evaluation of the early access applied biosystems precision ID Globalfiler mixture ID and Globalfiler NGS STR panels for the ion S5 system. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2018; 36:95-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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49
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Moreno LI, Galusha MB, Just R. A closer look at Verogen's Forenseq™ DNA Signature Prep kit autosomal and Y-STR data for streamlined analysis of routine reference samples. Electrophoresis 2018; 39:2685-2693. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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50
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Just RS, Irwin JA. Use of the LUS in sequence allele designations to facilitate probabilistic genotyping of NGS-based STR typing results. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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