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Wang M, Chen H, Luo L, Huang Y, Duan S, Yuan H, Tang R, Liu C, He G. Forensic investigative genetic genealogy: expanding pedigree tracing and genetic inquiry in the genomic era. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00158-9. [PMID: 38969261 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.06.016] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Genetic genealogy provides crucial insights into the complex biological relationships within contemporary and ancient human populations by analyzing shared alleles and chromosomal segments that are identical by descent to understand kinship, migration patterns, and population dynamics. Within forensic science, forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) has gained prominence by leveraging next-generation sequencing technologies and population-specific genomic resources, opening new investigative avenues. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge, underscore recent advancements, and discuss the growing role of FIGG in forensic genomics. FIGG has been pivotal in revitalizing dormant inquiries and offering new genetic leads in numerous cold cases. Its effectiveness relies on the extensive single-nucleotide polymorphism profiles contributed by individuals from diverse populations to specialized genomic databases. Advances in computational genomics and the growth of human genomic databases have spurred a profound shift in the application of genetic genealogy across forensics, anthropology, and ancient DNA studies. As the field progresses, FIGG is evolving from a nascent practice into a more sophisticated and specialized discipline, shaping the future of forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengge Wang
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Center for Archaeological Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Anti-Drug Technology Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China.
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Center for Archaeological Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Lintao Luo
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Center for Archaeological Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yuguo Huang
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Center for Archaeological Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shuhan Duan
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Huijun Yuan
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Center for Archaeological Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
| | - Renkuan Tang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Chao Liu
- Anti-Drug Technology Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China.
| | - Guanglin He
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Center for Archaeological Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Anti-Drug Technology Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China.
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Ji Q, Yao Y, Li Z, Zhou Z, Qian J, Tang Q, Xie J. Characterizing identity by descent segments in Chinese interpopulation unrelated individual pairs. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:37. [PMID: 38494535 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-024-02132-7] [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: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Identity by descent (IBD) segments, uninterrupted DNA segments derived from the same ancestral chromosomes, are widely used as indicators of relationships in genetics. A great deal of research focuses on IBD segments between related pairs, while the statistical analyses of segments in irrelevant individuals are rare. In this study, we investigated the basic informative features of IBD segments in unrelated pairs in Chinese populations from the 1000 Genome Project. A total of 5922 IBD segments in Chinese interpopulation unrelated individual pairs were detected via IBIS and the average length of IBD was 3.71 Mb in length. It was found that 17.86% of unrelated pairs shared at least one IBD segment in the Chinese cohort. Furthermore, a total of 49 chromosomal regions where IBD segments clustered in high abundance were identified, which might be sharing hotspots in the human genome. Such regions could also be observed in other ancestry populations, which implies that similar IBD backgrounds also exist. Altogether, these results demonstrated the distribution of common background IBD segments, which helps improve the accuracy in pedigree studies based on IBD analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Ji
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yining Yao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhimin Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhihan Zhou
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jinglei Qian
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiqun Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jianhui Xie
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Liu J, Wei YL, Yang L, Jiang L, Zhao WT, Li CX. Testing of two SNP array-based genealogy algorithms using extended Han Chinese pedigrees and recommendations for improved performances in forensic practice. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:1435-1445. [PMID: 37501329 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200237] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Distant genetic relatives can be linked to a crime scene sample by computing identity-by-state (IBS) and identity-by-descent (IBD) shared by individuals. To test the methods of genetic genealogy estimation and optimal the parameters for forensic investigation, a family-based genetic genealogy analysis was performed using a dataset of 262 Han Chinese individuals from 11 families. The dataset covered relative pairs from 1st- to 14th degrees. But the 7th-degree relative is the most distant kinship to be fully investigated, and each individual has ∼200 relatives within the 7th degree. The KING algorithm by calculating IBS and IBD statistics can correctly discriminate the first-degree relationships of monozygotic twin, parent-offspring and full sibling. The inferred relationship was reliable within the fifth-degree, false positive rate <1.8%. The IBD segment algorithm, GERMLINE + ERSA, could provide reliable inference result prolonged to eighth degree. Analysis of IBD segments produced obviously false negative estimations (<27.4%) rather than false positives (0%) within the eighth-degree inferences. We studied different minimum IBD segment threshold settings (changed from >0 to 6 cM); the inferred results did not make much difference. In distant relative analysis, genetically undetectable relationships begin to occur from the sixth degree (second cousin once removed), which means the offspring after seven meiotic divisions may share no ancestor IBD segment at all. Application of KING and GERMLINE + ERSA worked complementarily to ensure accurate inference from first degree to eighth degree. Using simulated low call rate data, the KING algorithm shows better tolerance to marker decrease compared with the GERMLINE + ERSA segment algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Crime Scene Evidence Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Liang Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Phylogenomics and Comparative Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Lan Yang
- School of Forensic Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P. R. China
| | - Li Jiang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Crime Scene Evidence Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Ting Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Crime Scene Evidence Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Cai-Xia Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of Ministry of Public Security, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Crime Scene Evidence Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Beijing, P. R. China
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Butler JM. Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019-2022. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2022; 6:100311. [PMID: 36618991 PMCID: PMC9813539 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in biological sciences from 2019 to 2022 as a part of the 20th INTERPOL International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. Topics reviewed include rapid DNA testing, using law enforcement DNA databases plus investigative genetic genealogy DNA databases along with privacy/ethical issues, forensic biology and body fluid identification, DNA extraction and typing methods, mixture interpretation involving probabilistic genotyping software (PGS), DNA transfer and activity-level evaluations, next-generation sequencing (NGS), DNA phenotyping, lineage markers (Y-chromosome, mitochondrial DNA, X-chromosome), new markers and approaches (microhaplotypes, proteomics, and microbial DNA), kinship analysis and human identification with disaster victim identification (DVI), and non-human DNA testing including wildlife forensics. Available books and review articles are summarized as well as 70 guidance documents to assist in quality control that were published in the past three years by various groups within the United States and around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Butler
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Special Programs Office, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4701, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
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Helena's Many Daughters: More Mitogenome Diversity behind the Most Common West Eurasian mtDNA Control Region Haplotype in an Extended Italian Population Sample. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126725. [PMID: 35743173 PMCID: PMC9223851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126725] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The high number of matching haplotypes of the most common mitochondrial (mt)DNA lineages are considered to be the greatest limitation for forensic applications. This study investigates the potential to solve this constraint by massively parallel sequencing a large number of mitogenomes that share the most common West Eurasian mtDNA control region (CR) haplotype motif (263G 315.1C 16519C). We augmented a pilot study on 29 to a total of 216 Italian mitogenomes that represents the largest set of the most common CR haplotype compiled from a single country. The extended population sample confirmed and extended the huge coding region diversity behind the most common CR motif. Complete mitogenome sequencing allowed for the detection of 163 distinct haplotypes, raising the power of discrimination from 0 (CR) to 99.6% (mitogenome). The mtDNAs were clustered into 61 named clades of haplogroup H and did not reveal phylogeographic trends within Italy. Rapid individualization approaches for investigative purposes are limited to the most frequent H clades of the dataset, viz. H1, H3, and H7.
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Tillmar A, Fagerholm SA, Staaf J, Sjölund P, Ansell R. Getting the conclusive lead with investigative genetic genealogy - A successful case study of a 16 year old double murder in Sweden. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 53:102525. [PMID: 33991867 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
On the morning of October 19, 2004, an eight-year-old boy and a 56-year-old woman were stabbed to death on an open street in the city of Linköping, Sweden. The perpetrator left his DNA at the crime scene, and after 15 years of various investigation efforts, including more than 9000 interrogations and mass DNA screening of more than 6000 men, there were still no clues about the identity of the unknown murderer. The successful application of investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) in the US raised the interest for this tool within the Swedish Police Authority. After legal consultations it was decided that IGG could be applied in this double murder case as a pilot case study. From extensive DNA analysis, including whole-genome sequencing and genotype imputation, DNA data sets were established and searched within both GEDmatch and FamilyTree DNA genealogy databases. A number of fairly distant relatives were found from which family trees were created. The genealogy work resulted in two candidates, two brothers, one of whom matched the crime scene samples by routine STR profiling. The suspect confessed the murders at the initial police hearing and was later convicted of the murders. In this paper we describe the successful application of an emerging technology. We disclose details of the DNA analyses which, due to the poor quality and low quantity of the DNA, required reiterative sequencing and genotype imputation efforts. The successful application of IGG in this double murder case exemplifies its applicability not only in the US but also in Europe. The pressure is now high on the involved authorities to establish IGG as a tool for cold case criminal investigations and for missing person identifications. There is, however, a continuous need to accommodate legal, social and ethical aspects as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Tillmar
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | | | - Jan Staaf
- Polisregion Öst, Swedish Police Authority, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Ricky Ansell
- National Forensic Centre, Swedish Police Authority, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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Kling D, Phillips C, Kennett D, Tillmar A. Investigative genetic genealogy: Current methods, knowledge and practice. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 52:102474. [PMID: 33592389 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) has emerged as a new, rapidly growing field of forensic science. We describe the process whereby dense SNP data, commonly comprising more than half a million markers, are employed to infer distant relationships. By distant we refer to degrees of relatedness exceeding that of first cousins. We review how methods of relationship matching and SNP analysis on an enlarged scale are used in a forensic setting to identify a suspect in a criminal investigation or a missing person. There is currently a strong need in forensic genetics not only to understand the underlying models to infer relatedness but also to fully explore the DNA technologies and data used in IGG. This review brings together many of the topics and examines their effectiveness and operational limits, while suggesting future directions for their forensic validation. We further investigated the methods used by the major direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic ancestry testing companies as well as submitting a questionnaire where providers of forensic genetic genealogy summarized their operation/services. Although most of the DTC market, and genetic genealogy in general, has undisclosed, proprietary algorithms we review the current knowledge where information has been discussed and published more openly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kling
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Christopher Phillips
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Debbie Kennett
- Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Tillmar
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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