A global snapshot of current opinions of next-generation sequencing technologies usage in forensics |
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| Affiliation: | 1. The George Washington University, Department of Forensic Sciences, 2100 Foxhall Rd, Washington, DC 20007, United States;2. Arcadia University, Department of Chemistry & Physics, 450 S Easton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038, United States;1. Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA;2. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA;1. MPS’s Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China;2. Faculty of Forensic Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China;3. Chinese Center For Disease Control And Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing 102206, China;4. Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, Shandong, China |
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| Abstract: | The future of forensic DNA testing is being shaped by the research and usage of next-generation systems, which have increased the multiplexing capabilities of the field and the type and amount of genetic data that can be utilized for investigations. The NGS adoption for casework has been slow, albeit the plethora of data that has been published. This study evaluated the current opinions on sequencing in forensics. A 20-question online-survey focusing on NGS knowledge, training, and usage was distributed to 6001 forensic DNA researchers and practitioners worldwide. A total of 367 responses were obtained from all continents (North/South America (69.8%), Europe (21.2%), Asia (5.5%), Oceania (2.5%), and Africa (1%)). The respondents consisted of 50% practitioners, 31% researchers, and 19% both. Of these, 38% already own a next-gen sequencing instrument, and 13% are planning to purchase one. Overall, there exists an extensive knowledge on next-gen sequencing within the forensic community, including among laboratories that have not yet implemented this high-throughput technology in their workflows. Current usage focuses primarily on SNP analysis for investigative leads and mitochondrial DNA analysis while future applications included both STR and SNP testing applied to general casework. The major overall concerns respondents have for implementing a sequencing instrument include limited funding, staffing, lack of time, and the cost-effectiveness of providing this service. Specific technical concerns that the respondents had are the lack of training, statistical applications, bioinformatics support, and of rigorous guidelines and recommendations. Most of the respondents do believe there will be a technology shift from using CE only to the use of NGS on casework in 5–10 years. In addition, around 66% of respondents believe that it is moderately to very likely that the court will accept sequencing analysis. Sixteen percent fell in the middle, and the remaining 15% believe it is more unlikely, with 3% of respondents believing it is very unlikely. In conclusion, this work outlines current analytical challenges experienced by the global forensic DNA community and addresses different strategies for the implementation of next-gen sequencing technologies in casework. |
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| Keywords: | Next-generation sequencing Online survey Forensic DNA Practitioners and researchers’ opinions |
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