Insights into race from DNA profiles (Mac Taylor, Technical Associates Inc.)

DETERMINE RACE PROPORTIONS FROM CRIME SCENE DNA
- The Revolution in Forensic Genomic Starts Now -

DNAPrint genomics, Inc. has applied the most recent advancements in human genomic technology for the deciphering of an individual's race. We are proud to introduce to the forensic community DNA WITNESS 2.0, a genetic test for the deduction of the heritable component of race, called Biogeographical Ancestry (BGA). This test is the first of its kind, resulting from three (3) years of genomic research, and is the beginning of a revolution in criminal investigations. This test provides not only the majority population affiliation (i.e. Indo European, Sub-Saharan African, East Asian or Native American), but the admixture, as well (i.e. 82% East Asian and 18% Indo-European mix).

This new test provides important Forensic Anthropological information relevant for a wide variety of investigative situations. When biological evidence is gathered, an investigative team can use DNA WITNESS 2.0 to construct a partial physical profile from the DNA and in many cases learn details about the donor's appearance, essentially permitting a partial reconstruction of their driver's license photo. How many times have you wished an unknown suspect left his driver's license at the scene - even if the unique identifiers were smudged?

Recognizing the need for genomics-based physical profiling tools, DNAPrint genomics is the first company to apply human genome power for the precise estimation of Biogeographical percentages from DNA.

Because physical profiling from DNA will effectively offer an objective "eyewitness" for each crime, where biological evidence has been left, the implications for saving investigative dollars and maximizing the efficiency of our criminal justice system are profound. STR identity tests form the cornerstone of forensic DNA analysis, but they are not useful for the assumption of race or any other physical traits, because the STR markers were not selected for the ability to do so. Other non-DNA based investigative work tends to rely on less scientifically robust methodology. For example, "eyewitnesses":

" Are not always reliable, are subjective and sometimes misleading. Most of the felons released from death row, based on DNA testing, were convicted based on faulty eyewitness testimony. " Are not available for each crime.

Until now, no scientific method has been available to help investigators learn what a DNA donor looks like. DNAPrint's DNA WITNESS 2.0 product represents the first wave of a genomics revolution that is afoot in forensics science. We are applying the test to actual casework and we've performed testing for a number of high profile murder/rape cases, where DNA was left at the crime scene.

DNA WITNESS 2.0 could provide additional detail to current cases or cold cases could be re-visited. The results indicating to detectives what population groups to include or exclude in their investigation. The goal of the product is simple, help you focus your investigation and identify from whom a forensic sample was derived. Effectively, what we have done is harness our increasing knowledge of human genomics to help you get the job done. Wouldn't you like to have a DNA eyewitness for your most important cases?

We would be pleased to provide you a CD-ROM of the validation experiments, which was performed for this test on over 2,000 DNA samples.

Please contact us to discuss the possibility of using DNA WITNESS 2.0 on your cold, current, or next case.

Zach Gaskin
Technical Director, Forensic Genomics
941-366-3400
zgaskin@dnaprint.com

Materials

P. Gill, D.J. Werrett, B. Budowle, and R. Guerrieri (2004). ``An assessment of whether SNPs will replace STRs in national DNA databases – Joint considerations of the DNA working group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM).'' Science & Justice 44(1):51-53.

P.M. Vallone (2004). ``Y-SNP Typing of U. S. African American and Caucasian Samples Using Allele-Specific Hybridization and Primer Extension.'' J. Forensic Sci. 49(4).

M.D. Coble, R.S. Just, J.E. O'Callaghan, et. al.(2004). ``Single nucleotide polymorphisms over the entire mtDNA genome that increase the power of forensic testing in Caucasians .'' Int. J. of Legal Medicine 118(3):137-146.

R.A. Sturm and T. Frudakis (2004). ``Eye colour: portals into pigmentation genes and ancestry.'' Trends in Genetics 20(8):327-332.

T. Frudakis, M. Thomas, Z. Gaskin, et. al. (2003). ``Sequences associated with human iris pigmentation.'' Genetics 165(4):2071-83.

T. Frudakis, et al. (2003). ``A classifier for the SNP-based inference of ancestry.'' J. Forensic Sci. 48(4):771-82.

T. Frudakis (2004). ``Erratum/correction of Frudakis et al. A classifier for the SNP-based inference of ancestry. J Forensic Sci 2003 July;48(4):771-82.'' J. Forensic Sci. 49(5).

J. Ye, et al. (2002). ``Melting curve SNP (McSNP) genotyping: a useful approach for diallelic genotyping in forensic science.'' J. Forensic Sci. 47(3).

Z. Gaskin. (2004). ``DNA Witness: A presumptive DNA test for bio-geographical ancestory.'' Cambridge Healthtech Institute's 6th Biannual Conference: DNA Forensics - Enabling Investigative Examination. McLean, VA. June 24-25, 2004.

ABC News. (2003). Racial profiling: will a new DNA test shatter serial killer myths?

Frudakis, T. (2003). DNAPrint genomics.

Pitts Jr., L. (2003). The power of knowing where your family roots begin. Pioneer Press. August 20, 2003.