New Forensic Tests for Human Identity

Two new human identity tests for the growing forensics market are designed for use in matching crime scene samples with individuals or for paternity/maternity analysis.

A test called GenoMatch is a high throughput test well suited for mass screenings, such as those used for DNA dragnets, where a match to a crime scene is sought from a large number of possible donors. Many of the markers measured by the test, developed by DNAPrint Genomics (Sarasota, FL, USA), are informative for population affiliation. That means they are among some of the Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs) developed by the company. In addition to being less expensive, the inclusion of AIMs gives the test an advantage over other identity tests.

The second test is based on the standard CODIS STR tests used by most forensic laboratories today. DNAPrint will purchase the test from a kit manufacturer and resell the test as a higher-end service. This test is the legal standard by which individuals are matched with crime scene DNA specimens.

Combined with its Ancestry 2.0, DNAPrint now has a broader menu of tests that function together as a forensics solution. Using the company's DNAWitness service, investigators can delimit the suspect pool in terms of biogeographical ancestry admixture proportions. Next, with GenoMatch, investigators can conduct a mass screening of subjects within this pool, and then verify any match found by using the CODIS STR test, as is standard practice today.




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