Optimizing DNA Testing in Missing Person Cases
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) was awarded a grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to develop and test the best possible sample preparation methods for skeletal and decomposing human remains using emerging next generation DNA technology to identify missing persons or victims of mass disasters.
Dr. Sheree Hughes-Stamm of SHSU's Department of Forensic Science and Dr. Bruce Budowle of the Institute of Applied Genetics (IAG) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center will investigate the best methods for extracting DNA from decomposed remains for next generation DNA sequencing. The new technology, called massively parallel sequencing (MPS), is the most advanced tool in the field of Forensic Biology and can provide more information from each DNA sample including identification and ancestry.
Vol 18 No 31