Development and expansion of high-quality control region databases to improve forensic mtDNA evidence interpretation.
In an effort to increase the quantity, breadth and availability of mtDNA databases suitable for forensic comparisons, we have developed a high-throughput process to generate approximately 5000 control region sequences per year from regional US populations, global populations from which the current US population is derived and global populations currently under-represented in available forensic databases. The system utilizes robotic instrumentation for all laboratory steps from pre-extraction through sequence detection, and a rigorous eight-step, multi-laboratory data review process with entirely electronic data transfer. Over the past 3 years, nearly 10,000 control region sequences have been generated using this approach. These data are being made publicly available and should further address the need for consistent, high-quality mtDNA databases for forensic testing.
Irwin
Jodi A
JA
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
Saunier
Jessica L
JL
Strouss
Katharine M
KM
Sturk
Kimberly A
KA
Diegoli
Toni M
TM
Just
Rebecca S
RS
Coble
Michael D
MD
Parson
Walther
W
Parsons
Thomas J
TJ
D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030561:Databases, Nucleic Acid; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics; D053803:Forensic Genetics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation; D014481:United States
D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial