SNP Miniplexes for Individual Identification of Random‐Bred Domestic Cats

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the cat can be obtained from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analyses of fur. This study developed miniplexes using SNPs with high discriminating power for random‐bred domestic cats, focusing on individual and phenotypic identification. Seventy‐eight SNPs were investigated using a multiplex PCR followed by a fluorescently labeled single base extension (SBE) technique (SNaPshot^®). The SNP miniplexes were evaluated for reliability, reproducibility, sensitivity, species specificity, detection limitations, and assignment accuracy. Six SNPplexes were developed containing 39 intergenic SNPs and 26 phenotypic SNPs, including a sex identification marker, ZFXY. The combined random match probability (cRMP) was 6.58 × 10^?19 across all Western cat populations and the likelihood ratio was 1.52 × 10¹⁸. These SNPplexes can distinguish individual cats and their phenotypic traits, which could provide insight into crime reconstructions. A SNP database of 237 cats from 13 worldwide populations is now available for forensic applications.     

Development of a Protein‐based Human Identification Capability from a Single Hair

Shed human hair (lacking root nuclear DNA) frequently contributes important information to forensic investigations involving human identification. Detection of genetic variation observed in amino acid sequences of hair proteins provides a new suite of identity markers that augment microscopic hair analysis and mitochondrial DNA sequencing. In this study, a new method that completely dissolves single hairs using a combination of heat, ultrasonication, and surfactants was developed. Dissolved proteins were digested and genetically variant peptide (GVP) profiles were obtained for single hairs (25 mm) via high‐resolution nanoflow liquid chromatography‐based mass spectrometry and a novel exome‐driven bioinformatic approach. Overall, 6519 unique peptides were identified and a total of 57 GVPs were confirmed. Random match probabilities ranged between 2.6 × 10^?2 and 6.0 × 10^?9. The new bioinformatic strategy and ability to analyze GVPs in forensically relevant samples sizes demonstrate applicability of this approach to distinguish individuals in forensic contexts.     

犬11个STR基因座的遗传多态性

目的调查犬11个STR基因座的群体遗传多态性。方法应用自主构建的犬11个STR基因座（PEZ1、PEZ2、PEZ3、PEZ5、PEZ6、PEZ8、PEZ12、FH2010、FH2054、FH2132和FH2611）荧光复合扩增体系，扩增105只犬的样本，统计各基因座扩增结果，并分析其群体遗传参数。结果11个STR基因座的累积非父排除率和累积个体识别率分别为0．9330621和0．9999999．平均杂和度和平均多态信息含量分别为0．502和0．640。结论该11个犬STR基因座的遗传多态性较好，可以有效用于犬的个体识别和亲权鉴定。     

A comprehensive GlobalFiler™ autosomal STR reference dataset for Southern Africa

In this study a total of n = 832 autosomal DNA profiles from Southern Africa are analysed using the GlobalFiler™ STR panel. The dataset includes South Africa (SA) profiles (n = 541) produced by Ristow et al. 2016 and includes newly generated data for SA Sepedi (n = 96) and Lesotho populations (n = 195). For the newly generated (n = 291) genotypes, we report a large degree of rare and novel variation. This included (n = 7) off-ladder allele variants and (n = 7) TPOX tri-alleles. We report forensic summary statistics and genetic diversity parameters. Expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity ranged between (0.7– 0.9) with SE33 as the most polymorphic and TH01 the least. For SA and Lesotho genotypes the combined match probability was (1.13 ×10^-24 and 6.035 ×10^-24) and the combined paternity index (1.4 ×10⁹ and 2.44 ×10⁸) respectively. The power of exclusion (0.9999) was similar for each dataset and no significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were observed after Bonferroni correction. Population comparisons were performed by MDS and neighbour-joining and population structure inferred by STRUCTURE and DAPC unsupervised clustering.     

Development and validation of the AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® Direct PCR Amplification Kit: a multiplex assay for the direct amplification of single-source samples

Abstract: The AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^® Direct PCR Amplification Kit is a new short tandem repeat multiplex assay optimized to allow the direct amplification of single‐source blood and buccal samples on FTA^® card without the need for sample purification and quantification. This multiplex assay has been validated according to the FBI/National Standards and SWGDAM guidelines. Validation results revealed that slight variations in primer concentration, master mix component concentration, and thermal cycling parameters did not affect the performance of the chemistry. The assay’s sensitivity was demonstrated by amplifying known amounts of white blood cells spotted onto FTA^® cards, and the assay’s specificity was verified by establishing minimal cross‐reactivity with nonhuman DNA. No effect on the age of the sample stored on the FTA^® substrate was observed and full concordance was established in the population study. These findings of the validation study support the use of the Identifiler^® Direct Kit for forensic standards and database samples genotyping.     

广西地区3个群体15个STR基因座频率多态性

目的调查广西地区仡佬族、仫佬族、瑶族无关个体的15个STR基因座(D8S1179、1321S11、D7S820、CSF1PO、D3S1358、TH01、D13S317、D16S539、D2S1338、D19S433、vWA、TPOX、D18S51、D5S818、FGA)多态性,研究其在法医学检验中的应用价值。方法 应用AmpFISTR IdentifilerTM荧光标记复合扩增系统,对314例仡佬族、332例仫佬族、238例瑶族无关个体血样DNA进行15个STR基因座的复合扩增,用ABI 3100遗传分析仪对扩增产物进行检测,GeneScan、GenoTyper软件进行基因分型,统计计算15个STR基因座的群体遗传学参数。结果IdertifilerTM系统的15个STR基因座在仡佬、仫佬、瑶族的累积偶合率为1.839×10-16~5.073×10-17,累积非父排除率为0.9999983~0.9999991。结论该15个STR基因座足可满足仡佬族、仫佬族、瑶族法医学的个体识别及亲权鉴定的需要。     

Belgian canine population and purebred study for forensics by improved mitochondrial DNA sequencing

In canine population studies for forensics, the mitochondrial DNA is profiled by sequencing the two hyper variable regions, HV1 and HV2 of the control region.In a first effort to create a Belgian population database some samples showed partially poor sequence quality. We demonstrated that a nuclear pseudogene was co-amplified with the mtDNA control region. Using a new combination of primers this adverse result was no longer observed and sequencing quality was improved. All former samples with poor sequence data were reanalyzed. Furthermore, the forensic canine population study was extended to 208 breed and mixed dogs. In total, 58 haplotypes were identified, resulting in an exclusion capacity of 0.92. The profile distribution of the Belgian population sample was not significantly different from those observed in population studies of three other countries.In addition to the total population study 107 Belgian registered pedigree dogs of six breeds were profiled. Per breed, the obtained haplotypes were supplemented with those from population and purebred studies. The combined data revealed that some haplotypes were more or less prominent present in particular dog breeds. The statistically significant differences in haplotype distribution between breeds and population sample can have consequences on mtDNA databasing and matching probabilities in forensics.     

Constructing STR Multiplexes for Individual Identification of Hungarian Red Deer

Red deer is the most valuable game of the fauna in Hungary, and there is a strong need for genetic identification of individuals. For this purpose, 10 tetranucleotide STR markers were developed and amplified in two 5‐plex systems. The study presented here includes the flanking region sequence analysis and the allele nomenclature of the 10 loci as well as the PCR optimization of the DeerPlex I and II. LD pairwise tests and cross‐species similarity analyses showed the 10 loci to be independently inherited. Considerable levels of genetic differences between two subpopulations were recorded, and F_ST was 0.034 using AMOVA. The average probability of identity (PI_ave) was at the value of 2.6736 × 10^?15. This low value for PI_ave nearly eliminates false identification. An illegal hunting case solved by DeerPlex is described herein. The calculated likelihood ratio (LR) illustrates the potential of the 10 red deer microsatellite markers for forensic investigations.     

藏獒犬11个STR基因座遗传多态性

目的建立犬STR复合扩增体系,为犬个体识别和亲权鉴定提供一种检测方法。方法用自行建立的11个犬STR基因座复合扩增体系,使用ABI3130XL遗传分析仪,对107份藏獒唾液DNA样本的扩增产物进行检测及统计学分析。结果除1个基因座杂合度低于60%,其他10个基因座杂合度均高于70%;11个基因座PIC值均在0.6以上;11个基因座中有8个基因座的个体识别率在0.938以上,其余3个基因座均在0.826以上;父权排除率除TETRA为0.267,其余在0.401~0.749之间,偶合机率1.08×10-13。结论此11个犬STR基因座在藏獒犬中具有较高的个体识别能力,可用于犬类个体识别和亲权鉴定。     

Genetic polymorphisms of 20 STR loci in Chinese Han population in Tianjin,North China

The PowerPlex^® 21 System PCR Amplification Kit was a new PCR Amplification Kit developed for forensic laboratories, but there was a lack of data about this kit in Chinese people in Tianjin, North China. This kit contained 20 STR loci, D3S1358, D1S1656, D6S1043, D13S317, Penta E, D16S539, D18S51, D2S1338, CSF1PO, Penta D, TH01, vWA, D21S11, D7S820, D5S818, TPOX, D8S1179, D12S391, D19S433 and FGA. In order to evaluate this kit and to get basic population data for its use in forensic practice in Chinese Han population, 360 unrelated Chinese Han individuals from Tianjin were typed using the Kit. Allele frequencies of the 20 STR loci and further population forensic genetic parameters were obtained. The observed genotype frequencies and expected genotype frequencies were evaluated by χ² test. No significant deviation from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was observed in the population sample for the 20 STR loci. The population data in the present study can be used for routine forensic practice in Tianjin, North China.     

Genetic variation in a Japanese population,using the multiplex 24 STRs analysis system

Allele frequency distributions for 24 short tandem repeat (STR) loci were determined using the PowerPlex^R Fusion System (Promega) in 407 Japanese samples. The most informative locus among the 22 STR loci, excluding Amelogenin and DYS391, was Penta E (power of discrimination (PD) = 0.98), while the least informative was TPOX(PD = 0.831). The 22 loci combined matching probability (MP) was calculated to be 4.13 × 10⁻²⁶. These parameters indicated the usefulness of this 24 STR analysis in forensic personal identification and parentage testing among Japanese population.     

23个STR基因座荧光复合扩增体系的法医学应用评估

目的评估新建立的23个STR复合扩增体系EX23的法医学应用价值。方法使用磁珠法提取样本DNA,应用23个STR复合扩增体系进行扩增,ABI3130XL遗传分析仪对扩增产物进行电泳,GeneMapperID 3.2软件进行基因分型,对法医学应用参数、灵敏度、种属、脱落细胞检材及降级检材分型效果进行观察,并与Sinofiler试剂盒比较。结果 DNA模板量在0.05~1.00ng时,各基因座分型结果清晰准确,均衡性好、特异性强。应用该复合扩增体系检验混合样本、降解检材及脱落细胞检材,均能获得正确的分型结果。统计结果显示该23个STR基因座累计个人识别（TDP）率达0.999999999,三联体累计非父排除率（CPE）达0.999999997。结论新建立的23个STR复合扩增体系分型效果良好,在广东地区汉族人群中具有高度多态性,可满足日常法医鉴定的需要。     

GeneMarker® HID: A reliable software tool for the analysis of forensic STR data

Abstract: GeneMarker^® HID was assessed as a software tool for the analysis of forensic short tandem repeat (STR) data and as a resource for analysis of custom STR multiplexes. The software is easy to learn and use, and includes design features that have the potential to reduce user fatigue. To illustrate reliability and accuracy, STR data from both single‐source and mixture profiles were analyzed and compared to profiles interpreted with another software package. A total of 1898 STR profiles representing 28,470 loci and more than 42,000 alleles were analyzed with 100% concordance. GeneMarker HID was also used to successfully analyze data generated from a custom STR multiplex, with simplified and rapid implementation. Finally, the impact of the user‐friendly design features of the software was assessed through a time scale study. The results suggest that laboratories can reduce the time required for data analysis by at least 25% when using GeneMarker HID.     

荧光复合扩增4个Y染色体STR的单倍型及其法医学应用

目的建立一套Y染色体STR的双色荧光复合扩增系统,调查4个Y-STR基因座单倍型分布情况及其在混合斑物证检验中的法医学应用前景。方法荧光标记引物复合扩增Y-GATA-A10、DYS531、DYS557和DYS448四个Y染色体特异性STR基因座,并用ABⅠ310遗传分析仪对扩增产物进行检测、分型。结果在成都汉族120名无关男性个体中,四个基因座分别检出5、5、8、7个等位基因,共检出78种单倍型,单倍型基因多样性为0.9881。对3例本教研室不能用常规常染色体STR对男性成份作出同一认定的混合斑检材,该系统成功的作出了与嫌疑人血液Y-STR基因型一致的鉴定结论。结论建立的Y-STR荧光标记复合扩增系统具有很高的识别能力,对建立Y染色体STR数据库,研究群体遗传学和进行法医学混合斑物证鉴定有重要意义。     

A novel multiplex assay system based on 10 methylation markers for forensic identification of body fluids

Identifying the source of body fluids found at a crime scene is an essential forensic step. Some methods based on DNA methylation played significant role in body fluids identification. Since DNA methylation is related to multiple factors, such as race, age, and diseases, it is necessary to know the methylation profile of a given population. In this study, we tested 19 body fluid-specific methylation markers in a Chinese Han population. A novel multiplex assay system based on the selected markers with smaller variation in methylation and stronger tissue-specific methylation were developed for the identification of body fluids. The multiplex assay were tested in 265 body fluid samples. A random forest model was established to predict the tissue source based on the methylation data of the 10 markers. The multiplex assay was evaluated by testing the sensitivity, the mixtures, and old samples. For the result, the novel multiplex assay based on 10 selected methylation markers presented good methylation profiles in all tested samples. The random forest model worked extremely well in predicting the source of body fluids, with an accuracy of 100% and 97.5% in training data and test data, respectively. The multiplex assay could accurately predict the tissue source from 0.5 ng genomic DNA, six-months-old samples and distinguish the minor component from a mixture of two components. Our results indicated that the methylation multiplex assay and the random forest model could provide a convenient tool for forensic practitioners in body fluid identification.     

Determining the Source of Equine Bloodstains by Dinucleotide Repeats*

Abstract: A novel multiplex of independent dinucleotide tandem repeat (DTR) loci was previously described that is capable of not only discriminating human and equine DNA, but of identifying a single equine source. We report a case in which a bloodstained syringe and two needles were found during inspection of a barn by inspectors of the Pennsylvania Racing Commissions. Using the multiplex and single‐locus detection, all 21 equine DTR markers were detected in a suspect horse and two evidence samples, indicating the evidence samples came from the suspect animal. Only six markers were detected in the third evidence sample because the volume of blood was limited. Following whole‐genome amplification and single‐locus PCR, the third evidence sample detected a total of 17 markers and the likelihood of identity (probability from suspect horse/probability from a random pacer) was 7.0 × 10⁶. The DTR multiplex has some technical limitations, but it is already practical for casework.     

Mutation rates at 14 STR loci in the population from Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil

Definition about mutation rates of short tandem repeats (STRs) loci used in forensic analysis are useful for the correct interpretation of resulting genetic profiles and the definition of criterions for exclusion in paternity testing. Germline mutation of 14 STR loci was studied for 54,105 parent–child allelic transfers from 2575 paternity testing cases carried out during 2000–2007 from the Pernambuco State, Northeast Brazil. The parenthood in each of these cases was highly validated (probability > 99.99%). We identified 43 mutations at 12 loci. Locus-specific mutation rate estimates varied between 2 × 10⁻⁴ and 2 × 10⁻³, and the overall mutation rate estimate was 8 × 10⁻⁴. Mutation events in the male germline were more frequent than in the female germline. The majority of the mutations could be explained by losses or gains of one repeat unit and there was no evidence for selection between insertion or deletion changes. Our data were compared with those of Portuguese and North-American populations for CSF1PO, D18S51, D21S11, D7S820, TH01, TPOX and demonstrated, despite the great difference in the size of the sample, that mutation rates of STR loci in a mixed population do not differ from that encountered in different populations.     

中国“罪犯DNA数据库”STR基因座研究

选择合适的 STR基因座 ,建立中国“罪犯 DNA数据库”模式库。以 2 2 11名汉族、15 0名维吾尔族、10 4名回族群体为分析对象 ,提取罪犯血样 DNA,用复合 PCR和四色荧光技术检测了 D3S135 8、v WA、FGA、D8S1179、D2 1S11、D18S5 1、D5 S818、D13S317、D16 S5 39、TH0 1、TPOX、CSF1PO、D7S82 0等 13个 STR基因座及性别 Amelogenin基因座。在 13个 STR基因座中 ,除 TH0 1、TPOX基因座外 ,其余各基因座的个体鉴别能力 (DP)值均接近 0 .9,杂合度(H)均大于 0 .7,排除概率 (PE)大都在 0 .5以上 ,其中 FGA、D8S1179、D2 1S11和 D18S5 1基因座 DP≥ 0 .95 ,H≥ 0 .85 ,PE≥ 0 .6 5 ,表明它们在法医学上极有应用价值。TH0 1和 TPOX在多态性方面较差 (H分别为 0 .6 430和 0 .6 2 96 ,PE分别为0 .40 46和 0 .370 1) ,但也符合应用于法医学的要求。13个基因座的平均偶合率为 5× 10 - 1 5 ～ 1.2× l0 - 1 4 ,适合作为中国人群的遗传学标志 ,用于建立中国“罪犯 DNA数据库”     

复合扩增20个Y-STR基因座及其法医学的应用

目的建立20个Y-STR基因座的复合扩增体系,进行遗传多态性调查,并评价其法医学应用价值。方法采用五色荧光素标记技术,对20个Y-STR基因座(DYS391、DYS389Ⅰ、DYS390、DYS389Ⅱ、DYS438、DYS460、Y GATA H4、DYS456、DYS439、DYS635、DYS448、DYS393、DYS388、DYS437、DYS19、DYS392、DYS458、DYS447、DYS385 a/b)进行复合扩增和毛细管电泳检测;调查辽宁汉族376名无关男性个体20个Y-STR基因座的遗传多态性数据;并对系统性能进行检测。结果本文方法同时检测20个Y-STR基因座,在376名个体中共检出376种单倍型,基因多样性在0.371 1～0.969 8之间;方法特异性好,分型结果准确稳定,灵敏度达0.062 5ng,实际案例常见生物检材的检验结果良好。结论20个Y-STR基因座复合扩增检测法可以用于实际案例检验,调查所获数据对建立Y-STR数据库和相关研究和应用具有重要意义。