Latest Research

Jumbled knot with a single strand emerging to the right. Text reads "Article Published in FSI Genetics."

Published in “FSI Genetics”: MixDeR: A SNP mixture deconvolution workflow for forensic genetic genealogy

Published in “FSI Genetics”: MixDeR: A SNP mixture deconvolution workflow for forensic genetic genealogy Abstract: The generation of forensic DNA profiles consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is now being facilitated by wider adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods in casework laboratories. At the same time, and in part because of... MORE
Photo of a human skull sitting in dead leaves. Stylized DNA helix along the left edge. Text reads "Advanced Genotyping for Skeletal Remains; SigSci Interns."

An Investigation of Downstream Processing Methods for Challenging Skeletal Samples

Abstract: While skeletal remains are known for their resilience and often serve as the final source of information for unidentified human remains (UHRs), the traditional downstream processing of these samples is challenging due to their low template nature, DNA degradation, and the presence of PCR inhibitors, typically resulting in limited... MORE
Jumbled knot with a single strand emerging to the right

MixDeR: A SNP Mixture Deconvolution Workflow for Forensic Genetic Genealogy

Abstract: The generation of forensic DNA profiles consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is now being facilitated by wider adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods in casework laboratories. At the same time, and in part because of this advance, there is an intense focus on the generation of SNP profiles... MORE
Stylized DNA helix in front of GATCs with checkmark. Text reads "Internal Validation of Enhanced Laboratory Methods for ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit"

Published in “Forensic Genomics”: Internal Validation of the ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit for Application to Forensic...

Abstract Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) requires high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles to infer distant relationships. The ForenSeq Kintelligence kit is a recently developed method targeting 10,230 SNPs that were selected to be compatible with genetic genealogy databases, whereas avoiding medically relevant SNPs. The targeted polymerase chain reaction method is... MORE
Stylized DNA helix in front of GATCs with checkmark. Text reads "Internal Validation of Enhanced Laboratory Methods for ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit"

Internal Validation of the ForenSeq Kintelligence Kit for Application to Forensic Genetic Genealogy

Abstract: Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) requires high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles to infer distant relationships. The ForenSeq Kintelligence kit is a recently developed method targeting approximately 10,000 SNPs that were selected to be compatible with genetic genealogy databases, while avoiding medically relevant SNPs. The targeted PCR method is... MORE
Diagram of a ball-and-stick model. Text reads "Relationship Inference Paper Published; Featured in Forensic Genomics".

Paper Published in “Forensic Genomics”: Relationship Inference with Low-Coverage Whole Genome Sequencing on Forensic Samples

Abstract Background: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based kinship analysis is now a cornerstone of modern forensic genomics. Imputation can be used to augment genome-wide SNP data from low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (LCWGS). The impact of imputation after LCWGS on genotyping error and its subsequent impact on kinship analysis are unknown. Methods: We assessed the... MORE
Collage with a cityscape in the background and an overlay diagram of connected people. Text reads "Kinship Analysis".

SigSci Scientists Co-Author Study Published in “Frontiers in Genetics”

Abstract: Technological advances in sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping microarray technology have facilitated advances in forensic analysis beyond short tandem repeat (STR) profiling, enabling the identification of unknown DNA samples and distant relationships. Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) has facilitated the identification of distant relatives of both unidentified remains... MORE