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Heinrich J, Berger C, Berger B, Hecht W, Phillips C, Parson W. The LASSIE MPS panel: Predicting externally visible traits in dogs for forensic purposes. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 66:102893. [PMID: 37290253 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102893] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the outward appearance of dogs via their DNA, also known as Canine DNA Phenotyping, is a young, emerging field of research in forensic genetics. The few previous studies published in this respect were restricted to the consecutive analysis of single DNA markers, a process that is time- and sample-consuming and therefore not a viable option for limited forensic specimens. Here, we report on the development and evaluation of a Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) based molecular genetic assay, the LASSIE MPS Panel. This panel aims to predict externally visible as well as skeletal traits, which include coat color, coat pattern, coat structure, tail morphology, skull shape, ear shape, eye color and body size from DNA using 44 genetic markers in a single molecular genetic assay. A biostatistical naïve Bayes classification approach was applied to identify the most informative marker combinations for predicting phenotypes. Overall, the predictive performance was characterized by a very high classification success for some of the trait categories, and high to moderate success for others. The performance of the developed predictive framework was further evaluated using blind samples from three randomly selected dog individuals, whose appearance was well predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephin Heinrich
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cordula Berger
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Burkhard Berger
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Hecht
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christopher Phillips
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Walther Parson
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Forensic Science Program, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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2
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Gutierrez R, Roman MG, Harrel M, Hughes S, LaRue B, Houston R. Assessment of the ForenSeq mtDNA control region kit and comparison of orthogonal technologies. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2022; 59:102721. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2022.102721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Faccinetto C, Sabbatini D, Serventi P, Rigato M, Salvoro C, Casamassima G, Margiotta G, De Fanti S, Sarno S, Staiti N, Luiselli D, Marino A, Vazza G. Internal validation and improvement of mitochondrial genome sequencing using the Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2295-2306. [PMID: 34491421 PMCID: PMC8523450 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02686-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
With the recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS), mitochondrial whole-genome sequencing has begun to be applied to the field of the forensic biology as an alternative to the traditional Sanger-type sequencing (STS). However, experimental workflows, commercial solutions, and output data analysis must be strictly validated before being implemented into the forensic laboratory. In this study, we performed an internal validation for an NGS-based typing of the entire mitochondrial genome using the Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel (Thermo Fisher Scientific) on the Ion S5 sequencer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Concordance, repeatability, reproducibility, sensitivity, and heteroplasmy detection analyses were assessed using the 2800 M and 9947A standard control DNA as well as typical casework specimens, and results were compared with conventional Sanger sequencing and another NGS sequencer in a different laboratory. We discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach, highlighting some issues regarding noise thresholds and heteroplasmy detection, and suggesting solutions to mitigate these effects and improve overall data interpretation. Results confirmed that the Precision ID Whole mtDNA Genome Panel is highly reproducible and sensitive, yielding useful full mitochondrial DNA sequences also from challenging DNA specimens, thus providing further support for its use in forensic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Faccinetto
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche Di Parma, Sezione Biologia, Parma, Italy.
| | - Daniele Sabbatini
- Department of Neurosciences DNS, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Serventi
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche Di Parma, Sezione Biologia, Parma, Italy
| | - Martina Rigato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Casamassima
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche Di Parma, Sezione Biologia, Parma, Italy
| | - Gianluca Margiotta
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche Di Parma, Sezione Biologia, Parma, Italy
| | - Sara De Fanti
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre Alma Mater Research Institute On Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Sarno
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Staiti
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche Di Parma, Sezione Biologia, Parma, Italy
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Alberto Marino
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche Di Parma, Sezione Biologia, Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vazza
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Abstract
Anthropological analysis of fragmentary evidence can be challenging but diverse methods allow substantial information to be gleaned. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy enables determination if bone and/or tooth tissue is present. Protein radioimmunoassay or DNA analysis can establish the species present. Histological analysis can assist in species determination and reveal information about thermal changes. Radiocarbon analysis with special reference to the modern bomb-curve can clarify the postmortem interval. Anthropologists should also be aware that DNA analysis not only can enable positive identification but assist in the evaluation of sex and age at death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas H Ubelaker
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yaohan Wu
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
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Melchionda F, Stanciu F, Buscemi L, Pesaresi M, Tagliabracci A, Turchi C. Searching the undetected mtDNA variants in forensic MPS data. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 49:102399. [PMID: 33038616 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102399] [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: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The efficiency of MPS in forensic mtDNA analysis has been thoroughly proven, although a reliable and well established data evaluation still remains a critical point. Numerous bioinformatics tools have been developed, but most of them require specific operating systems and high costs, while free open-source programs with user-friendly interfaces are few. In this study, 43 full mtGenomes were sequenced using the Ion Personal Genome Machine™ (PGM™) System and analyzed utilizing the plug-in Variant Caller (TVC) of the Ion Torrent Software Suite and the mtDNA-Server (mDS), a free web-based mitochondrial analysis tool for MPS data. The outcomes of these two different analysis tools were compared to variants noted after manual inspection of the aligned reads performed using Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV). The comparison highlighted the presence of thirty-nine discordant variant calls, which were resolved by Sanger sequencing that confirmed the presence of all variants, except for 7 deletions. The combined adoption of IGV and Sanger type sequencing confirmatory steps, in addition of TVC and mDS analysis, resulted in a more accurate variants assignment with the detection of 32 additional true polymorphisms, which were noted in the final dataset. Regarding the heteroplasmy issue, out of a total of thirty heteroplasmic variants, twenty-eight were detected by the TVC, while the mDS detected twenty-two. Overall, none of the used bioinformatics tools were the perfect choice and a secondary analysis with an expert's opinion in complete mtGenome MPS data evaluation is still required in forensic genetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Melchionda
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy - Via Tronto, 60126 Torrette Ancona, Italy.
| | - Florin Stanciu
- Romanian National DNA Database, National Forensic Science Institute, General Inspectorate of Romanian Police, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Loredana Buscemi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy - Via Tronto, 60126 Torrette Ancona, Italy.
| | - Mauro Pesaresi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy - Via Tronto, 60126 Torrette Ancona, Italy.
| | - Adriano Tagliabracci
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy - Via Tronto, 60126 Torrette Ancona, Italy.
| | - Chiara Turchi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy - Via Tronto, 60126 Torrette Ancona, Italy.
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Kjellström A. Bioarchaeological Aspects of the Early Stage of Urbanization in Sigtuna, Sweden. BIOARCHAEOLOGY AND SOCIAL THEORY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-53417-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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Elwick K, Bus MM, King JL, Chang J, Hughes-Stamm S, Budowle B. Utility of the Ion S5™ and MiSeq FGx™ sequencing platforms to characterize challenging human remains. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2019; 41:101623. [PMID: 31499459 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Often in missing persons' and mass disaster cases, the samples remaining for analysis are hard tissues such as bones, teeth, nails, and hair. These remains may have been exposed to harsh environmental conditions, which pose challenges for downstream genotyping. Short tandem repeat analysis (STR) via capillary electrophoresis (CE) is still the gold standard for DNA typing; however, a newer technology known as massively parallel sequencing (MPS) could improve upon our current techniques by typing different and more markers in a single analysis, and consequently improving the power of discrimination. In this study, bone and tooth samples exposed to a variety of DNA insults (cremation, embalming, decomposition, thermal degradation, and fire) were assessed and sequenced using the Precision ID chemistry and a custom AmpliSeq™ STR and iiSNP panel on the Ion S5™ System, and the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit on the MiSeq FGx™ system, as well as the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit on the 3500™ Genetic Analyzer. The results demonstrated that using traditional CE-based genotyping performed as expected, producing a partial or full DNA profile for all samples, and that both sequencing chemistries and platforms were able to recover sufficient STR and SNP information from a majority of the same challenging samples. Run metrics including profile completeness and mean read depth produced good results with each system, considering the degree of damage of some samples. Most sample insults (except decomposed) produced similar numbers of alleles for both MPS systems. Comparable markers produced full concordance between the two platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyleen Elwick
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA.
| | - Magdalena M Bus
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan L King
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Joseph Chang
- Human Identification Division, Thermo Fisher Scientific, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sheree Hughes-Stamm
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bruce Budowle
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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