Revision of the SNPforID 34-Plex Forensic Ancestry Test: Assay Enhancements, Standard Reference Sample Genotypes and Extended Population Studies

• NCJ Number: 241100
• Journal: Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 63-74
• Author(s): M. Fondevila; C. Phillips; C. Santos; A. Freire Aradas; P.M. Vallone; J.M. Butler; M.V. Lareu; A. Carracedo
• Date Published: January 2013
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper discusses the revision of an established 34 SNP forensic ancestry test.

Abstract

A revision of an established 34 SNP forensic ancestry test has been made by swapping the under-performing rs727811 component SNP with the highly informative rs3827760 that shows a near-fixed East Asian specific allele. The authors collated SNP variability data for the revised SNP set in 66 reference populations from 1,000 Genomes and HGDP-CEPH panels and used this as reference data to analyze 4 U.S. populations showing a range of admixture patterns. The U.S. Hispanics sample in particular displayed heterogeneous values of co-ancestry between European, Native American and African contributors, likely to reflect in part, the way this disparate group is defined using cultural as well as population genetic parameters. The genotyping of over 700 U.S. population samples also provided the opportunity to thoroughly gauge peak mobility variation and peak height ratios observed from routine use of the single base extension chemistry of the 34-plex test. Finally, the genotyping of the widely used DNA profiling Standard Reference Material samples plus other control DNAs completes the audit of the 34-plex assay to allow forensic practitioners to apply this test more readily in their own laboratories. (Published Abstract)