Marie Allen – Improved methods for forensic and historical DNA analysis

Our research aims to develop highly sensitive and discriminating assays for forensic DNA analysis of challenging samples.

Evidence samples found at a crime scene have often been subjected to harsh environments, and the, often minute, amounts of DNA present may be degraded and damaged. Our research involves developing typing assays to analyse mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) markers. Using mtDNA markers allows a highly sensitive analysis due to the high number of mtDNA copies per cell. In addition, nDNA markers, amplified in short PCR fragments, will yield a higher discrimination power than the mtDNA analysis.

Analyses of challenging DNA samples

Several new assays have been developed in our research group and used successfully to analyse challenging evidence material in forensic cases. In earlier projects, we have employed traditional molecular biology methods, but next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are optimal for analysing DNA from degraded, limited, and damaged samples. The new methods can also be used for genetic analysis of older and historical material to identify individuals or link different materials together.

Evaluation of relationship or origin

As an ultimate test, our new methods have been used to investigate the putative remains of St. Birgitta and her daughter Katarina, Nicolaus Copernicus, Carin Göring, and from the Swedish Warship Vasa, to test for success in analysing challenging samples.

We have also analysed even older remains in a large collaborative project where we investigated samples from Viking-age graves in Scandinavia and boat graves found on the island of Saaremaa in Estonia for ancestry, appearance and familial relationships.

Our sensitive methods have also been used to investigate the origin of cultured cells in cancer research, as well as in new and cold cases in police investigations.

Two modells of humans, an man in a grey hat an a woman in a red hat.

Gertrud and Gustav – two interpretations of the same person from the Vasa ship (Photo: Marie Allen)

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