CADNAP - Canine DNA Profiling Group

An ISFG Working Group focusing on canine and other non-human DNA Analyses

Unterländer,M.; Berger,B.; Berger,C.; Hecht,W.; Heinrich,J.; Morf,N.V.; Parson,W.; Rohleder,U.; Schleenbecker,U.; Hellmann,A.

The dog is our closest animal companion and most popular pet, therefore, forensically relevant cases involving dogs, such as accidents or dog attacks, are observed regularly. Even more important, canine trace evidence, especially hair, can serve as evidentiary link when they indicate the suspect’s or victim’s presence at the crime scene. The Canine DNA Profiling (CaDNAP) group was founded in 2003 as a collaborative research project. The core group consisted of the Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck (GMI) and the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). The Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen joined in 2008 and the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich followed in 2015. The CaDNAP members have been striving for the harmonization of forensic canine DNA analysis by developing and validating canine-specific STR panels according to recommendations made by the ISFG. Additionally, the group is going beyond the analysis of canine DNA, and has lend its expertise for the analysis of animal as well as plant DNA in general to support law enforcement investigations.

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Austrian STR Population Data using the PowerSeq GY46

Austrian STR Population Data using the PowerSeq GY46 System and Massively Parallel Sequencing

Müller,P.; Berger,B.; Bodner,M.; DNASEQEX Consortium; Parson,W.

By using massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technologies to genotype forensic markers, it is possible to characterize sequence variations located in the repeat and flanking regions of short tandem repeats (STRs). To account for sequence based allele frequencies valid for the Austrian population, we performed a population study including 248 unrelated male donors verifiably born in Austria. In accordance with the Austrian law and permission of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Austria, it is possible to use DNA samples and DNA profiles of the Austrian National DNA Database for population studies, preconditioned the data is made anonymous.

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Evaluation of a costumised panel of 118 novel microhyplotypes

Evaluation of a costumised panel of 118 novel microhyplotypes selected for forensic identification in two MPS platforms

Puente,M.; Phillips,C.; Xavier,C.; Amigo,J.; Carracedo,Á.; Parson,W.; Lareu,M.

Microhaplotypes (MHs) comprise two or more closely-sited SNPs in spans up to 200 nucleoMdes (nt). MH alleles are defined by the phased combinaEons of the alleles of the component SNPs, that can be obtained by Massive Parallel Sequencing (MPS) if the SNPs are co-amplified in one sequence.

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Introducing a forensic version of PhyloTree

Introducing a forensic version of PhyloTree for improved haplogrouping

Dür,A.; Huber,N.; Parson,W.

Mitochondrial DNA haplogrouping is an important tool that is not restricted to forensic mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) analysis. In many population genetic studies, haplogroup determination is a decisive prerequisite for further investigations and research questions.

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Sketching Man’s Best Friend

Sketching Man’s Best Friend - Canine DNA Phenotyping for Forensic Purposes

Heinrich,J.; Berger,B.; Hecht,W.; Hellmann,A.; Rohleder,U.; Schleenbecker,U.; Morf,N.; Phillips,C.; Parson,W.; Berger,C.; CaDNAP Group

Forensic Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis is the gold standard to identify canine individuals, or to link crime scene traces to the donor dog. However, forensic DNA fingerprinting loses its evidential power when no canine suspect DNA is available. To overcome this limitation, we aim to develop a method to predict externally visible traits of dogs based on DNA. Previous studies have already shown that externally visible characteristics of dogs are caused by variations in a surprisingly small number of genes and only a few mutations are probably responsible for the extraordinary diversity of this species. Due to this special characteristic of dog genetics, developing a suitable marker set for typing external visible traits appears highly promising and could contribute significantly to the toolbox for canine DNA analysis in forensic casework.

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