STRNaming: Standardised STR sequence allele naming to simplify MPS data analysis and interpretation
With the introduction of Massively Parallel Sequencing, the need for comprehensive nomenclature of sequenced Short Tandem Repeat alleles became apparent. We propose an independently functioning solution for standardised, automatic, human-readable, sequence-informative naming. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 22, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jerry Hoogenboom, Kristiaan J. van der Gaag, Titia Sijen Source Type: research

Analysis of forensic casework samples by Precision ID Ancestry Panel – Manual and Automated Ampliseq Workflow
In this study we compared library construction using the automated workflow with the Ion Chef and a manual workflow. Casework samples that were collected between 2005 and 2018 in the State of Qatar where used for the study and the samples varied from routine stains to challenging samples that yielded full and partial STR profiles.One hundred and forty-three samples were processed: sixteen using both workflows. Full and partial profiles were seen with both methods. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 22, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Waad Rashed Al-Dosari, Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Bin Ali, Satya Sudheer Pydi, William Goodwin Source Type: research

Development of the Investigator 26plex QS Kit: A New multiplex PCR Kit for Global STR analysis
STR assays for forensic casework must conform to national DNA standards. QIAGEN developed the Investigator 26plex QS Kit as an assay to co-amplify 25 markers, including the current Chinese, CODIS and European standard markers in one reaction. The kit is designed for purified DNA from casework and reference samples. The new Fast Reaction Mix 3.0 ensures not only robust and fast PCR amplification with improved inhibitor resistance and easy handling, but also provides enhanced robustness towards DNA overloading and stability. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 22, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Miroslav Vrane , Margaretha Knig, Stefan Cornelius, Annika Kohns, Keith Elliott, Anke Prochnow, Mario Scherer Source Type: research

A look of paternal ancestry in a sample of Ecuadorian MESTIZO population analyzed through PowerPlex Y23
Ecuadorian population is mainly composed of Mestizos, an ethnic group whose origins date back to admixture events in post-Columbian periods, including Amerindians, Europeans, and Africans. Hence, it is important to elucidate its genetic complexity thus increasing Ecuadorian registers in local and global databases, aiding in future forensic analysis and evolutionary studies. We analyzed 101 haplotypes of self-determined Mestizo male individuals by the PowerPlex Y23 System. Haplogroup assignment was evaluated by comparing three Y-STR haplogroup in silico algorithms. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 22, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: G. Burgos, A. Garz n-Salazar, KM. Maldonado-Uquillas, C. vila, MA. Toscano, E. Paz-Cruz Source Type: research

A work in progress - accreditation of forensic DNA laboratories as a part of the ,,European Forensic Science Area 2020 (EFSA 2020) ” concept
As 2020 is approaching, various stakeholders and EU Member States are currently implementing some elements of the EFSA2020 concept. EFSA2020 offers Europe the chance to raise the quality level of its forensic science and in doing so, improve the public ’s confidence in the administration of justice. However, there is plenty of opportunity for further progress in creating the common forensic area. The paper will focus on accreditation of forensic DNA laboratories in V4 countries. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: M ónika Nogel, András Czebe, Gábor Kovács, Zsolt Pádár Source Type: research

Efficiency of Casework Direct kit for extraction of Touch DNA samples obtained from cars steering wheels
This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of extraction methods for obtaining DNA profiles in samp les collected from steering wheels. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Cintia Fridman, Fernanda T. Gon çalves, Daniela O. Francisco Source Type: research

A work in progress - accreditation of forensic dna laboratories as a part of the, ,european forensic science area 2020 (efsa 2020) ” concept
As 2020 is approaching, various stakeholders and EU Member States are currently implementing some elements of the EFSA2020 concept. EFSA2020 offers Europe the chance to raise the quality level of its forensic science and in doing so, improve the public ’s confidence in the administration of justice. However, there is plenty of opportunity for further progress in creating the common forensic area. The paper will focus on accreditation of forensic DNA laboratories in V4 countries. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nogel M ónika, Czebe András, Kovács Gábor, Pádár Zsolt Source Type: research

Development of the Investigator ® 26plex QS Kit: A New Multiplex PCR Kit for Global STR Analysis
STR assays for forensic casework must conform to national DNA standards. QIAGEN developed the Investigator 26plex QS Kit as an assay to co-amplify 25 markers, including the current Chinese, CODIS and European standard markers in one reaction. The kit is designed for purified DNA from casework and reference samples. The new Fast Reaction Mix 3.0 ensures not only robust and fast PCR amplification with improved inhibitor resistance and easy handling, but also provides enhanced robustness towards DNA overloading and stability. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Miroslav Vrane š, Margaretha König, Stefan Cornelius, Annika Kohns, Keith Elliott, Anke Prochnow, Mario Scherer Source Type: research

Population genomics of the mitochondrial genome segments and the prediction of neutral and selective trends for identification and association studies
Mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) were analyzed to find polymorphic segments: neutral (N), slightly neutral (SN), selective (S) or slightly selective (SS) with the aim to increase the power of discrimination in DNA identification process. For this purpose, we developed an algorithm supported by three indexes to analyze 3295 mtDNA (47 populations). We obtained 576 polymorphic segments in mtDNA using limits without polymorphism ≥6 nucleotides. The SN and N were frequent in the electron transport chain-complex and larger than SS and S (mean 104pb vs 54pb). (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: GC Iannacone Source Type: research

Analysis and interpretation of mixture DNA using AS-PCR of mtDNA
In forensic medicine, mixed stains usually include body fluids, secretions of two or more individuals. The application of STR profiling of single cell capture or mixed samples requires that the existence of intact nucleated cells or the appropriate proportion of different components in the sample, respectively. Trace components cannot be genotyped, and the analysis of mixture from more than two individuals is even more difficult.There are SNPs located in the mtDNA hypervariable region and its flanking sequences. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Bao-jie Wang, Feng-ling Xu, Mei Ding, Jun Yao, Xue Wu, Jia-xin Xing, Jin-feng Xuan, Xi Xia Source Type: research

Reference DNA Databases for forensic species identification: auditing algorithms
Reference databases are indispensable tools for species identification in forensic context. Among the most widely used public databases stands GenBank or BOLD, aggregating genetic data and associated metadata of millions of specimens. Acquiring and collecting such amount of information requires a concerted effort of the scientific community. Detection and correction of inaccuracies, such as erroneous/incomplete metadata or poor DNA sequences quality, as well as the species ’ sample representativeness and reliability, are of paramount importance. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: E. Conde-Sousa, N. Pinto, A. Amorim Source Type: research

A look of paternal ancestry in a sample of ecuadorian “mestizo” population analyzed through powerplex y23
Ecuadorian population is mainly composed of Mestizos, an ethnic group whose origins date back to admixture events in post-Columbian periods, including Amerindians, Europeans, and Africans. Hence, it is important to elucidate its genetic complexity thus increasing Ecuadorian registers in local and global databases, aiding in future forensic analysis and evolutionary studies. We analyzed 101 haplotypes of self-determined Mestizo male individuals by the PowerPlex Y23 System. Haplogroup assignment was evaluated by comparing three Y-STR haplogroup in silico algorithms. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: G.Burgos, A. Garz ón-Salazar, KM. Maldonado-Uquillas, C. Ávila, MA. Toscano, E. Paz-Cruz Source Type: research

Epigenome-wide association study for sudden unexpected infant death
In this study, we search additional variants by NGS analysis of genomic DNA extracted from the cadavers in the sudden unexpected infant death (SID) cases. Genomic DNA was extracted from the ventricular septum of three infants of SID cases, three infants died of myocarditis, asphyxia and Down syndrome, a 15 year-old boy died of SUD, and an adult died of intracerebral bleeding. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Masaki Hashiyada, Masahiro Obayashi, Tomohiro Matsumoto, Sumitaka Yoshimura, Atsushi Akane Source Type: research

Updating data on the genetic identification of bone remains of victims of the Spanish Civil War
In this study, we present our experience in the genetic identification of skeletal remains recovered from graves of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and posterior dictatorship (until 1970s). Up to now, we have carried out the genetic analysis of more than 500 human remains from graves located in the Spanish territory, particularly from the northern half. Autosomal STRs, Y-STRs, X-STRs and/or mtDNA were studied in order to establish kinship relationship with presumptive relatives and reach a successful identification of the unknown remains. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Miriam Baeta, Carolina Nu ñez, Caterina Raffone, Eva Granizo, Leire Palencia-Madrid, Sergio Cardoso, Francisco Etxeberria, Lourdes Herrasti, Marian M. de Pancorbo Source Type: research

Initial assessment of NGS as a tool to augment routine CE analysis of STRs
The introduction of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) into forensic casework requires a detailed appraisal of how the technology can assist with improving current CE based methods bearing in mind the investment required to implement this significantly different method into operational forensic laboratories. To this end an initial assessment was conducted which involved the typing of 53 samples using the Verogen ForenSeq ™ DNA Signature Prep Kit in conjunction with the Illumina MiSeq FGx™ DNA Sequencer. (Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series)
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series - October 21, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: A.P. Revoir, H. Lancaster, C. Ames Source Type: research