Application of SNP Microarray in Forensic Research

As a high-quality microarray chip supplier, CD Genomics is committed to the development and provision of high-quality microarray products and services, and contributes to the advancement of forensic evidence-based research into the era of molecular testing. Our microarray platform provides high-resolution SNP microarray and genotyping services to help our customers conduct related research and reduce research costs. With our proven product quality and professional standards, we are confident to provide you with high-quality solutions.

STRs OR SNPs?

Modern forensic evidence-based analysis and the analysis of possible DNA evidence in large-scale disaster scenarios require the support of new molecular testing methods, because the forensics-related samples that usually need to be analyzed may have complex conditions. Generally, forensics-related samples may have a low copy, degradation, and a mixture of two or more contributors, which increases the difficulty of analysis. Forensic DNA analysis generally uses polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers. As long as the DNA sample is intact or has minimal degradation and sufficient concentration, a 13-site STR combination is sufficient for human identification. But for degraded or tiny DNA samples, analysis of autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in short fragments may provide more and more accurate information. SNP microarray may become a new and powerful tool for forensic evidence-based.

Fig. 1 Exploring unique tags in forensic research.

SNPs represent the most abundant category of human polymorphisms. The number of SNPs collected has been reported to exceed 5 million, most of which have been confirmed to be polymorphic in one or more major populations. In the field of forensic medicine, the reason for the increasing interest in SNPs is that SNPs have many characteristics that make them very suitable for forensic research (extremely low mutation rate, suitable for high-throughput methods). For paternity testing, a very low SNP mutation rate is very helpful. Microarray analysis provides a promising system for efficient and sensitive SNP analysis of forensic samples in the future. The characteristics of SNP itself determine that it is very suitable for analysis using high-throughput techniques. The usefulness of whole genome amplification (WGA) of samples composed of complex mixtures as a means of dealing with low DNA content is a common situation in forensic DNA analysis. The high-throughput characteristics of SNPs are helpful for the analysis of degraded samples. Data-based and automated short amplicon analysis is desirable for the analysis of small-sized fragments, because the size of the amplified product is critical to the successful analysis of degraded samples.

The Development of Forensic Evidence-based Technology

Through the hybridization of labeled probes, microarrays can screen tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of data points in a single run. This is one of the reasons why the forensic field is increasingly interested in SNP typing. In addition to developing potentially usable autosomal SNP markers, SNPs can also be used to define Y chromosomes or mtDNA haplogroups or to analyze the geographic origin of samples. DNA microarrays have revolutionized basic research in molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics. The applicability of microarrays in forensic analysis is gradually being clarified and developed. Genotyping technology and ready-made SNP microarrays show the practical applicability of this method. Moreover, the automation and miniaturization of microarray detection technology paved the way for the implementation of microarrays in forensic medicine. Our microarray experimental platform provides a series of SNP microarray products and genotyping services, which are cost-effective for forensic laboratories around the world to carry out relevant analysis and testing work.

Fig. 2 Microarray technology in the development of forensic research.

Essential Features of SNP Microarray

The usefulness of SNP microarrays in the analysis of forensic DNA mixture samples is reflected in the following aspects.

• This technique can analyze a mixture of more than two suspected samples;
• This technology amplification analysis provides other assistance for the analysis of degraded samples;
• The SNP library is a potential marker library;

CD Genomics is committed to providing useful microarray tools and services for the iteration of forensic analysis methods, and pushing evidence-based forensics into the era of molecular analysis and trace level analysis. Our high-performance SNP microarray products and diverse genotyping technology services provide assistance to forensic researchers around the world. If you have related product and service requirements, please contact us for more detailed information.

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