Application of next-generation sequencing technology in forensic science

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, with its high-throughput capacity and low cost, has developed rapidly in recent years and become an important analytical tool for many genomics researchers. New opportunities in the research domain of the forensic studies emerge by harnessing the power of NGS technology, which can be applied to simultaneously analyzing multiple loci of forensic interest in different genetic contexts, such as autosomes, mitochondrial and sex chromosomes. Furthermore, NGS technology can also have potential applications in many other aspects of research. These include DNA database construction, ancestry and phenotypic inference, monozygotic twin studies, body fluid and species identification, and forensic animal, plant and microbiological analyses. Here we review the application of NGS technology in the field of forensic science with the aim of providing a reference for future forensics studies and practice.

Keywords: Degradation of DNA; Forensics; Genomics; Next-generation sequencing.

Figure 1

Forensic analysis by next-generation sequencing The introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology that is much cheaper and more rapid than the classic Sanger sequencing method has revolutionized our thinking about scientific strategies in forensic research. NGS will potentially influence many aspects of forensic science, including short tandem repeats (STRs) and microRNA analysis, monozygotic twin and mixed stain recognition, Y chromosome and mitochondrial whole-genome studies, forensic microbiological analysis, multiple species identification, and ancestry and phenotype inference. More importantly, high-throughput screening techniques have generated large amounts of data, facilitating a systematic understanding of relationships between molecular components. Therefore, comprehensive genome-wide analysis, in combination with the techniques of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and epigenomics, will provide new insights in the field of applied forensics.

Figure 2

Diverse range of information can be obtained by NGS of biological evidence samples collected from crime scenes Through applying NGS technology, multiple results can be obtained simultaneously from biological evidence samples collected from crime scenes, such as STRs, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of autosomes, sex chromosomes and mitochondrial genomes, as well as epigenetic information. By integrating all the information, the evidence samples can be used not only for suspect identification but also for inferring the criminal suspects’ physical, psychological and geographical characteristics, as well as the source population.