Project description
Improving forensic DNA analysis in admixed populations using microhaplotypes
Despite advances in forensic genetics, populations with admixed ancestry remain understudied. As a result, the performance of emerging genetic markers such as microhaplotypes (MHs) have not been comprehensively evaluated in these populations. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the microLATAM project promotes the application of MH methods in populations with high levels of admixture, particularly in Latin America and, more recently, in Europe. This study will further advance forensic genetic analyses beyond short tandem repeats by characterising the distribution of MHs in understudied populations, the precision of such genetic markers in biogeographic ancestry determination, their efficacy in kinship testing among distantly related relatives, and whether they can be used to distinguish DNA profiles from different individuals with admixed backgrounds.
Objective
In recent years, forensic genetics has expanded beyond short tandem repeats (STRs) to include alternative markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and, in more recent years, microhaplotypes (MHs). These emerging tools aim to overcome the need for long DNA fragments for STR analyses. MHs stand out for their potential to offer high degrees of polymorphism and short lengths, making them especially promising for challenging forensic applications such as mixture deconvolution, long distant kinship and biogeographic ancestry (BGA) inference for degraded DNA. DNA continues to play a crucial role in legal proceedings due to the ability to calculate statistical weights of the evidence. Accurate estimations of these weights require accurate allele frequencies and a clear understanding of how genetic ancestry and population structure affect analysis. This is crucial for the implementation of MHs in populations with complex admixed backgrounds, like Latin America (LATAM) and, more recently, Europe, where the rising immigration rates have introduced greater genetic diversity. This project aims to advance the application of MHs by (1) determining the frequency of forensically relevant MHs in LATAM populations underrepresented in current databases; (2) evaluating the precision of MHs for BGA estimation in admixed individuals; (3) analyzing the power of current MHs methods for kinship estimation between first to fourth degree relatives from admixed backgrounds; and (4) evaluating the ability to deconvolute two to five person mixtures of varying ratios using MHs from contributors sharing co-ancestry components and admixed background. These Research Objectives will be achieved using tailored workflows from the literature and new methods developed with the Section of Forensic Genetics at UCPH. The results will improve precision and reduce bias in MH-based forensic analyses for admixed populations and support broader applications in population genetics and anthropology.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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