FBI Approves Next-Gen DNA Systems for National Databases

The FBI issued its latest operational procedures manual for the National DNA Index System, NDIS, recently.

One key milestone in the updated version is the approval of the first next-generation sequencing, or NGS, systems for use with the standard DNA databases.

Newly added is the Verogen ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit for STR and Y-STR analysis.

Promega’s PowerSeq CRM Nested System is listed for use in analyzing mitochondrial DNA.

The approvals follow last week’s publication of two NGS DNA interpretation guidelines by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM).

Verogen said in a statement their MiSeq FGx Forensic Genomics System is the first NGS system approved for genomic DNA analysis, which would “dramatically increase profiling efficiency and data recovery from biological evidence.”

“This is an important advancement,” said Jenifer Smith, director of Washington D.C.’s Department of Forensic Sciences, where some of the internal validation results that went into the Verogen NDIS approval were performed. (Also involved were the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, and the University of North Texas Human Identification Center).

NGS means more comprehensive and useful data – and better forensic evidence, added Smith.

“This means we will be able to aid more investigations and close more cases,” she said.

Promega showed some of its PowerSeq results for autosomal and Y-STR analysis, in addition to mitochondrial data, in a 2016 publication.

Verogen, an independent start-up founded 18 months ago by a partnership between Illumina and a San Francisco venture capital group, touts its MiSeq FGx Forensic Genomics System, which was recently featured in a Forensic Magazine webinar.

NGIS has now gone from a “visionary method” to a fully-validated forensic science tool, said Brett Williams, the Verogen CEO.

“Obtaining NDIS approval is an enormous step forward for the forensic genomics community, and for mainstream adoption of this technology,” said Williams.

Another NGS tool is Thermo Fisher’s Ion Torrent system. The tool was originally profiled by Forensic Magazine in 2016, and some of the Thermo Fisher NGS applications were demonstrated recently in the analysis of microbial communities on contraband artworks.

NGS has been tested for its upsides and limitations for years, including a massive series of trials conducted by Battelle and its scientists.

“With the (NGS) sequencing, you’re able to detect additional alleles that you couldn’t see through conventional typing,” said Richard Guerrieri, a research leader of applied genomics at Battelle, who presented the work at the International Symposium for Human Identification in September 2017.

https://www.forensicmag.com/news/2019/05/fbi-approves-next-gen-dna-systems-national-databases