Development and expansion of high-quality control region databases to improve forensic mtDNA evidence interpretation

Irwin, Jodi A.; Saunier, Jessica L.; Strouss, Katharine M.; Sturk, Kimberly A.; Diegoli, Toni M.; Just, Rebecca S.; Coble, Michael D.; Parson, Walther; Parsons, Thomas J.

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2007.01.019

« Previous Next »Forensic Science International: Genetics
Volume 1, Issue 2 , Pages 154-157, June 2007

Development and expansion of high-quality control region databases to improve forensic mtDNA evidence interpretation

Jodi A. Irwin
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Jessica L. Saunier
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Katharine M. Strouss
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Kimberly A. Sturk
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Toni M. Diegoli
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Rebecca S. Just
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Michael D. Coble
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 301 319 0268; fax: +1 301 295 5932.
Walther Parson
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Müllerstrasse 44, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Thomas J. Parsons
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
- Current address: International Commission on Missing Persons, Alipašina 45 A, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Received 22 January 2007; accepted 27 January 2007. published online 13 March 2007.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA databases, Robotics, Control region