Forensics Single-nucleotide polymorphism

snps used matching forensic dna sample suspect has been phased out development of str based dna fingerprinting techniques. in future snps may used in forensics phenotypic clues eye color, hair color, ethnicity etc. kidd et al. have demonstrated panel of 19 snps can identify ethnic group probability of match (pm = 10^-7) in 40 population groups studied. 1 example of how might potentially useful in area of artistic reconstruction of possible premortem appearances of skeletonized remains of unknown individuals. although facial reconstruction can accurate based strictly upon anthropological features, other data might allow more accurate representation include eye color, skin color, hair color, etc.

in situation low amount of forensic sample or degraded sample, snp methods can alternative str methods due abundance of potential markers, amenability automation, , potential reduction of required fragment length 60-80 bp. in absence of str match in dna profile database; different snps can used clues regarding ethnicity, phenotype, lineage, , identity.