{"id":9086,"date":"2016-09-19T17:15:15","date_gmt":"2016-09-19T17:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/behindthebench\/?p=9086"},"modified":"2018-10-18T23:36:52","modified_gmt":"2018-10-18T23:36:52","slug":"next-generation-sequencing-for-forensic-dna-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/behindthebench\/next-generation-sequencing-for-forensic-dna-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Next-Generation Sequencing for Forensic DNA Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Human identification<\/a>\u00a0in forensics using DNA has traditionally been accomplished by analyzing a series of short tandem repeat (STR) markers using capillary electrophoresis. But there are times when\u00a0STR analysis<\/a>\u00a0can\u2019t provide an answer- when samples are low in quantity, are degraded, or there was no STR match in the DNA database. Enter\u00a0Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)<\/a>\u00a0as alternative markers to generate additional investigative lead information from casework samples. As next-generation sequencing, and the ability to multiplex many markers for a single sample, has gained acceptance within the forensic community, so has SNP genotyping. There are a number of SNP classifications that are currently being investigated; including\u00a0identity SNPS, phenotypic SNPs and biogeographic ancestry SNPs<\/a>. Since 2014, France has allowed the use of phenotypic SNP analysis on crime scene samples to aid in criminal investigations, but only when an STR profile does not get a match in a database. Institute Genetics Nantes Atlantique\u00a0(<\/strong>IGNA) is a pioneer in forensic DNA analysis<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>and today they are largest private forensic lab in France, offering DNA typing using STRs, mtDNA analysis as well as SNP genotyping. Executive Director Soizic Le-Gunier\u00a0discusses<\/a>\u00a0how IGNA uses the various technology options and how SNP genotyping will have an impact in the future.<\/p>\n