Forensic DNA examination in the pandemic era of COVID-19: An Indian Perspective

The extremely high nature of transmissibility and severity of infection due to the novel Corona virus is a serious threat to mankind. This letter delivers a caution for forensic DNA experts in the era of COVID-19 infection from the Indian perspective. Samples are routinely transported to laboratories without any specific guidelines. Therefore, this is high time to formulate clear guidelines for the handling of biological material, from receiving to processing in the laboratory during such a pandemi

Genomic diversity of the Muslim population from Telangana (India) inferred from 23 autosomal STRs

Aim This study aimed to investigate the genomic diversity and population structure in the Muslim community of Telangana, India, using 23 autosomal microsatellite genetic markers. We also examined genetic relatedness between Muslim and non-Muslim populations of India. Subjects and methods A sample of 184 randomly selected unrelated healthy Muslim individuals from the Telangana state were included in this study. The genotyping of 23 autosomal STR markers included in PowerPlex® Fusion 6 C multiplex system (Promega)was done. Results A total of 273 alleles were observed in the studied population, and locus SE33 showed 37 observed alleles, which is the highest number of observed alleles among all the studied loci. Among all the studied loci the most polymorphic and discriminatory locus was SE33, with the values of polymorphic information content (PIC) = 9.411E–01 and power of discrimination (PD) = 9.865E–01. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 6.630E–01 (D22S1045) to 9.239E–01 (SE33). Discrimination power, exclusion power, matching probability and paternity index for all the studied loci were 1.00E + 00, 1.00E + 00, 2.01E–28, and 5.68E + 09, respectively. The studied Muslim population showed genetic relatedness with non-Muslim populations i.e. populations of central India, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting the conversion of Hindus during the Muslim invasion. Conclusion Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the studied population showed genetic affinity with communities of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh states. The genetic data of this study may be useful for forensic, medical, and anthropological studies

The genomic ancestry of Jat Sikh population from Northwest India inferred from 15 autosomal STR markers using capillary electrophoresis

Background Autosomal STR typing using capillary electrophoresis is a reliable method for establishing parentage and for deciphering genomic ancestry. Aim This study was planned to show the genetic diversity of the Jat Sikh population, which is a widespread community of the Punjab region, and to assess its genetic relationship with existing Indian populations. Subjects and methods Blood samples of unrelated healthy individuals of the Jat Sikhs (n = 123) were used in this study. Fifteen autosomal STR markers along with the sex determination genetic marker Amelogenin were amplified using AmpFlSTR®Identifiler® Plus kit, and genetic analyser 3100 was used for genotyping. Results A total of 246 alleles were observed with allele frequencies ranging from 0.004 to 0.447. The heterozygosity ranged from 0.659 to 0.886, and all studied loci were in Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE). Fibrinogen A alpha (Aα) chain (FGA) was found to be the most polymorphic and also the most discriminating locus in the studied population. Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree, principal component analysis (PCA) plot, and Nei’s Distance matrix revealed genetic affinity with the previously reported Jatt Sikh (Punjab) population and showed the outlier nature of this population compared with other Indian populations. Conclusion The data generated by this study enhance the database of Indian populations to be used in civil and forensic cases and also in other population-based genetic studies

Forensic features and phylogenetic analyses of the population of Nayagarh (Odisha), India using 23 Y-STRs

Aim The present study was designed to explore the STR diversity and genomic history of the inhabitants of Nayagarh district of Odisha, India. We also tested the proficiency of the most recent, new generation PowerPlexR Y23 multiplex system for forensic characterisation and to decipher the phylogenetic affinities. Subjects and methods The genetic diversity and polymorphism among 236 healthy unrelated male volunteers from Nayagarh district of Odisha, India was investigated. This investigation was carried out via 23 Y-chromosomal STRs using capillary electrophoresis. Result A total 223 unique haplotypes were reported. Discrimination capacity (DC), gene diversity (GD) and power of discrimination (PD) were observed as 0.945, 0.999999999998333, and 0.99999999999794, respectively. Polymorphic information content (PIC) and matching probability (PM) were reported as 0.999999999925535 and 2.06 × 10−12, respectively. Simultaneously, the haplogroup analysis characterised with C2, E1b1a, E1b1b, G2a, H1, I2a, J2a, J2b, L, O, O1, O2, Q, R1a, R2, and T haplogroups, disclosing the possible geographical relatedness of the studied population to different areas of the world. Conclusion Phylogenetic analysis with previously reported Indian and Asian populations showed the genetic closeness of the studied population to different Indian populations and the Bangladeshi population of Dhaka, whereas the Bhotra population of Odisha and Han population of China showed much less genetic affinity

Haplogroup diversity in the Indian population using 23 Y-STRs

Background A Y-STR polymorphism study is a convenient tool in molecular anthropology and forensic DNA analysis. Aim Through standard ethical procedures, the proposed study explored the genetic scenario in male lineage in Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian state, by Y-STR genotyping and haplogroup studies. Subjects and methods Five hundred and eleven unrelated male blood samples were directly amplified, and fragment separation was done using capillary electrophoresis to generate a Y-STR profile for 23 forensic relevant markers through PowerPlex® Y 23 multiplex system. The different statistical methods were applied for studying the forensic and genetics parameters. Subsequently, population comparison was performed by AMOVA, PCoA, and MDS plot, and Haplogroups were predicted with Whit Athey's haplogroup predictor tool. Conclusion These data represented the potential value of the PowerPlex® Y-23 multiplex system for the forensic and human genetics application in the population of Madhya Pradesh, India. Simultaneously the Haplogroup analysis revealed information about the multi-geographic origin as well as multi-ethnic genetic affinities of the Madhya Pradesh population