Forensic application of SNP-based resequencing array for individual identification

Abstract

In forensic field investigations using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) have been performed for various purposes. Based on the characteristics of SNP, it is essential to have a multi-amplification technology and a platform to analyze the amplified SNP markers accurately. Here, we have developed a platform based on the resequencing array of Affymetrix analyzing 169 SNP markers amplified via multiplex PCR and verified its forensic application. From the 1000 genomes database, the SNP markers were selected under the condition of less than 0.04 fixation index (Fst) and 0.3 linkage disequilibrium (LD) R(2) value, and 0.4-0.5 minor allele frequency (MAF). It was identified that more than 120 out of 169 SNPs were able to be typed with approximately 10pg of DNA and artificially degraded samples in various tests. The DNA extracted from bones also showed a similar rate of success. The results indicated that our platform has a potential role to assist the current short tandem repeat (STR) method in analyzing harsh samples, such as bone or degraded DNA. With a possibility to expand the platform, it was expected to apply to various uses in different areas in the future.

Keywords: DNA chip; Human identification; Resequencing array; Single nucleotide polymorphism.