Accredited Services
Tetracore’s Forensic Services Division (FSD) offers powerful workflows under our scope of accreditation. Additionally, our in-house bioinformatics team allows us to uncover usable information from a variety of sample types. Read more below to discover our workflows and how the data developed from each can help produce results for challenging forensic samples.
FIGG SNP Generation
FSD offers whole genome sequencing (WGS) to generate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). Our WGS workflow expands the information able to be generated from forensic samples, including from low template and degraded samples, by extracting hundreds of thousands of SNPs throughout the human genome. Data produced from this workflow includes SNPs used in genealogical databases.
Our WGS laboratory processing includes several fully validated extraction methods designed to obtain superior quality data from a wide range of challenging and routine samples, including rootless hairs and degraded skeletal remains. Our workflow and methods have been proven to recover and successfully sequence highly degraded, short fragments of DNA, enabling SNP profile generation compatible with upload to genealogy databases used by law enforcement. Our optimized extraction methods, combined with our innovative WGS workflow has had proven success with generating meaningful familial matches in such databases.
FIGG SNP generation using ForenSeq Kintelligence, including mixture deconvolution
FSD offers the ForenSeq Kintelligence kit to generate SNPs specifically identified for their optimal use with FIGG. This specialized next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology enables us to delve deeper into the human genome, revealing highly unique genetic information that can be used to generate investigative leads for cold cases, missing persons, and unidentified remains. FSD has optimized this technology to enhance its application to a variety of samples, including those with low template, degradation, or a history of exposure to challenging environmental conditions. As part of our workflow, FSD has validated mixture deconvolution from NGS data, which unlocks important genetic information from mixed samples that have been previously unusable and inaccessible.
- Targets 10,230 forensically specialized SNP markers optimized for FIGG
- Human-specific, targeted amplification gives the ability to filter through non-human DNA that may be present (e.g., bacterial contamination)
- Deconvolution of mixture data
Identity testing with ForenSeq Signature DNA Prep
FSD offers additional NGS processing utilizing the ForenSeq Signature DNA Prep kit for confirmatory STR testing and other casework applications. This NGS solution allows for the simultaneous analysis of over 200 genetic markers in one workflow. The ForenSeq Signature DNA Prep kit targets Autosomal STRs (including the traditional CODIS loci), Y-STRs, X-STRs, and a variety of SNPs, offering a wealth of DNA identification information in a single test. Additionally, this workflow is able to produce usable results from low-quantity and degraded samples which are commonly the only samples available when working with cold cases, missing persons, and unidentified human remains. FSD has further optimized the use of data produced through this workflow via our ability to deconvolute mixture data using proprietary, fully validated mixture deconvolution tools that include statistical analysis for comparisons.
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Simultaneous analysis of over 200 genetic markers (auSTRs, Y-STRs, X-STRs, iiSNPs, piSNPs, and aiSNPs)
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Can generate usable results from low-quantity and degraded samples
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Deconvolution of mixture data using proprietary tools that include statistical analysis for data comparisons
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Accreditations, Certifications & Licenses
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Additional Capabilities
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