NCJ Number
234620
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2011 Pages: 236-241
Date Published
June 2011
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examined six forensic cases where the use of supplementary autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provided more DNA information than the initial investigation of short tandem repeats (STRs).
Abstract
The results of the analysis found that in the six forensic cases examined, the autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) typed provided more DNA information than the standard amplification of single tandem repeats (STRs). This study compared the use of commercially available kit for use in standard amplification of STRs with a method for typing SNPs. These types of test are generally used to obtain DNA information in paternity and immigration casework. Six paternity cases were examined using the two methods: two cases where the child and the alleged father were available for testing; two cases where the mother, the child, and the alleged father were available for testing; and two cases where the child was available but the alleged father was deceased or not available for testing. In both these latter cases, relatives of the alleged father were tested. The analyses found that in all six cases, the SNP investigation was more informative than the standard STR typing. The results also found that in two of the cases, the alleged father would have been falsely included in the investigation had only the STR results been used. These results underscore the need for supplementary investigations in certain types of forensic investigations. Tables, appendix, and references