Forensic Science International-Genetics最新文献

{"title":"CRISPR/Cas12a coupled with MIRA: A specific and rapid assay for human DNA in challenging forensic matrices","authors":"Si-rui Li ,&nbsp;Yang Li ,&nbsp;Kai-bo Yang ,&nbsp;Si-wen Wang ,&nbsp;Mao-ling Sun ,&nbsp;Zhenze Liu ,&nbsp;Xiu-peng Zhang ,&nbsp;Yang Zhong ,&nbsp;Jun Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human DNA detection is crucial in forensic medicine, particularly for trace, degraded, or mixed samples, which demand high sensitivity, specificity, and rapid processing. Traditional methods, such as immunological assays and PCR-based techniques, often suffer from operational complexity, limited sensitivity, or high equipment dependency. To address these challenges, we developed a novel detection system combining multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA) with CRISPR-Cas12a for the rapid, specific, and portable human DNA identification. By targeting the human mitochondrial cytochrome b (CYTB) gene and sex-determining Region Y(SRY) gene, we designed MIRA primers and CRISPR-Cas12a crRNA to enable dual recognition and signal amplification. The method involves isothermal amplification at 37°C followed by CRISPR-Cas12a-mediated cleavage, producing detectable fluorescence or lateral flow chromatographic signals. Our system achieves ultra-sensitive detection and high specificity, distinguishing human DNA from non-human sources (e.g., pig, chicken, mouse), and also enables accurate gender identification, further enhancing its utility in forensic and genetic studies. Compared to traditional qPCR, this approach demonstrates superior sensitivity, faster turnaround (≤ 45 min), and minimal equipment requirements, making it ideal for forensic applications. Moreover, the blood, mixed, and degraded samples were used to confirm its robustness, with results interpretable via blue-light fluorescence or colloidal gold test strips. In summary, the MIRA-CRISPR/Cas12a system overcomes the limitations of conventional techniques, offering a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable solution for forensic human DNA identification, with potential extensions to wildlife conservation and food safety testing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103393"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145727721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic Lab-on-a-Disc for enhanced sperm cell purification in differential extraction workflows","authors":"Un Na Koh ,&nbsp;Vijaya Sunkara ,&nbsp;Beomhee Ahn ,&nbsp;Mi Kang Jung ,&nbsp;Myunghee Jang ,&nbsp;Hwanghee Ryu ,&nbsp;Hanna Kim ,&nbsp;Jihye Ahn ,&nbsp;Kyusang Lee ,&nbsp;Si-Keun Lim ,&nbsp;Yoon-Kyoung Cho ,&nbsp;Beomseok Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Efficient separation of sperm cells from mixed biological samples is critical in forensic DNA analysis, particularly in sexual assault investigations. Sperm separation in conventional differential extraction (cDE) methods is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to sample loss, often compromising DNA recovery and quality. Here, we present the Forensic Lab-on-a-Disc, a centrifugal microfluidic device that enables rapid, semi-automated sperm cell and non-sperm DNA separation. Leveraging centrifugal force and tangential flow filtration with dual membranes (10 µm and 1 µm pore sizes), the device effectively separates sperm cells from epithelial cell lysates and debris. Optimization experiments identified a 10 µm pore size for the first filter as optimal for maximizing sperm cell recovery while depleting non-sperm DNA. A single washing cycle was sufficient to preserve male DNA ratio (defined as Y-DNA divided by total gDNA) while minimizing sperm loss. Comparative analyses showed that the Forensic Lab-on-a-Disc, which specifically replaces the sperm-cell separation step within the cDE workflow, outperforms the conventional method by delivering significantly higher male DNA ratio, faster processing times (∼6 min), and improved reproducibility. STR profiling confirmed male DNA recovery with minimal non-sperm DNA carryover, even in samples with epithelial-to-sperm DNA equivalent ratios as high as 1000:1. Featuring a compact, semi-automated, and multi-sample processing capability, the Forensic Lab-on-a-Disc reduces operator variability and minimizes non-sperm–derived lysate carryover risks that compromise mixture interpretation, offering a transformative solution to accelerate forensic DNA analysis in sexual assault cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103430"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146069422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative trait loci as indicators of potential susceptibility to allele-specific dropout for forensic RNA markers","authors":"M. van den Berge,&nbsp;T. Sijen","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103423","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103423","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, the potential to associate donor (from DNA results) with specific cell types (based on RNA analysis) using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has been explored and recognized as a major advancement in forensic RNA typing. This method relies on SNPs in transcribed regions of body fluid-specific mRNA to link a cell type to a specific donor, whose presence is inferred from conventional forensic DNA typing. While the approach is promising, discrepancies frequently arise between the DNA and RNA-SNP data, primarily due to allelic dropout of RNA alleles. Understanding the mechanism underlying allele-specific expression is essential for advancing this method towards casework implementation. To address this, the role of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) as a potential cause of allele-specific expression (ASE) was investigated. Findings show how QTLs help explain the previously unresolved discrepancies and how QTL analysis can serve as a predictor of a gene’s susceptibility to ASE. Additionally, guidelines are provided for handling genes with increased risks of ASE, aiding the implementation of DNA and RNA-SNP-based donor-to-cell-type association in forensic casework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103423"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of illicit drugs on DNA extraction efficiency","authors":"Madison Nolan ,&nbsp;K. Paul Kirkbride ,&nbsp;Adrian Linacre","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103413","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103413","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The analysis of illicit drugs for the presence of human DNA provides an opportunity to gain greater information on ‘who’ is involved in the illicit drug supply chain, complementing the existing chemical profiling techniques to identify ‘what’ and ‘where’. Given the known inhibitory effect of numerous illicit drugs and related compounds on PCR, it is crucial to understand the effectiveness of currently used DNA extraction kits to successfully remove these compounds while extracting sufficient DNA for downstream DNA profiling. To do this, four common illicit drugs (methamphetamine HCl, heroin HCl, MDMA HCl and GHB Na) in addition to two precursors of methamphetamine (pseudoephedrine HCl and phenyl-2-propanone) were spiked with saliva and DNA extracted. Two DNA extraction kits were selected to evaluate columns compared to beads, the QIAGEN QIAamp® DNA Investigator kit and the Promega DNA IQ™ system. DNA quantification of these samples yielded significantly more DNA recovery for each drug, except P2P, when extracted using DNA Investigator. Similarly, peak heights and heterozygous peak height balance were, on average, improved when samples were extracted with DNA Investigator compared to DNA IQ. Regardless of drug or extraction kit, no inhibition was detected during DNA quantification or profiling, indicating reduced DNA yields were caused by inefficient DNA extraction rather than inhibition of the PCR processes. All samples extracted using DNA Investigator yielded complete DNA profiles while DNA IQ yielded near-complete profiles, ultimately resulting in extremely strong likelihood ratio values from all samples. The generation of informative DNA profiles, despite the presence of illicit drugs, using two commercially available DNA extraction kits highlights the potential to implement these sample types into operational laboratories.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103413"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145829442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral microbiomes as forensic markers of origin and migration: Insights from an underrepresented population, Nigeria","authors":"Nengi Ogbanga ,&nbsp;Andrew Nelson ,&nbsp;Darren Smith ,&nbsp;Richard Somiari ,&nbsp;Noemi Procopio","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103395","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103395","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The oral microbiome is shaped by environmental and host-associated factors, suggesting its utility for human profiling in forensics, particularly as an indicator of geographic origin and human migration. Using high-throughput sequencing and machine learning models, the predictive ability of the oral microbiome was assessed to determine the country of origin of the donors, using samples of individuals across 6 countries. The impact of migration on the predictive ability of the oral microbiome was also assessed through a longitudinal study of Nigerian migrants over a six-month period following migration. By analysing the oral microbiome at various time points during this timeframe, this study explores the influence of migration on the oral microbiome to provide insights into its applicability in forensic investigations. Our findings demonstrate that distinct microbial profiles correlate with the six geographic regions assessed in this study. Furthermore, the longitudinal sampling of Nigerian migrants revealed initial shifts in their microbiome profile, followed by a recovery to the original microbiome profile of Nigerian locals, observed after six months. These results highlight the forensic potential of the oral microbiome for geographic origin attribution, in migration tracking, and for providing intelligence information useful for forensic purposes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103395"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145600400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic investigative genetic genealogy based on low-quality DNA whole genome sequencing data","authors":"Jingwei Lu ,&nbsp;Jing Liu ,&nbsp;Jing Li ,&nbsp;Li Jiang ,&nbsp;Meng Ni ,&nbsp;Wenting Zhao ,&nbsp;Lv Dai ,&nbsp;Chuantong Zhao ,&nbsp;Caixia Li","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray technology is widely used for data acquisition in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), but it requires high-quality DNA. Previous studies have demonstrated that whole-genome sequencing (WGS) outperforms SNP microarray technology in genotyping forensic trace and degraded DNA, improving both SNP call rates and genotyping concordance. This study evaluates the accuracy of FIGG using WGS data from low-quality DNA. We performed WGS on DNA samples with varying input amounts (1.0–0.05 ng) and different degrees of fragmentation (500–50 bp). We extracted 645,199 autosomal SNPs corresponding to a SNP microarray and conducted kinship analysis using identity-by-descent via identical-by-state. Results indicated that FIGG accuracy for 0.5 ng DNA input matched that of 200 ng DNA. Likewise, samples with an average fragment length of 200 bp demonstrated accuracy comparable to non-degraded DNA. However, when DNA input quantities fell below 0.2 ng or average fragment length was shorter than 100 bp, genealogy inference accuracy significantly decreased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). We further confirmed that genotype imputation technology could significantly improve genealogy inference accuracy of low-quality DNA sequencing data. All imputed samples (0.2 ng, 0.1 ng, 0.05 ng, 100 bp, 50 bp) showed no significant differences in genealogy inference accuracy compared to standard samples (200 ng DNA and non-degraded DNA) (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). These research findings have important implications for forensic practice, providing methodological guidance for kinship inference of low-quality DNA samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103417"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145879831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A strategy for body fluid mixture analysis using semen- and epidermis-specific tDMRs and adjacent microhaplotypes/SNPs","authors":"Sang Un Park ,&nbsp;Bo Min Kim ,&nbsp;Soyi Park ,&nbsp;Hwan Young Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103429","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103429","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic evidence derived from semen or epidermis is often found mixed with other body fluids, and analysis becomes particularly challenging when DNA from multiple contributors is present in similar proportions. In addition, even when tissue or body fluid are successfully identified from mixtures, determining the donor of each tissue remains difficult. To overcome these limitations, we developed and applied a combined genetic marker containing semen- or epidermis-specific methylated CpGs and nearby microhaplotypes (MHs) or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). DNA methylation array data from 29 samples—including semen, epidermis, blood, saliva, vaginal fluid, and menstrual blood—were used to identify tissue-specific CpGs. Public SNP database and blood DNA from 300 Korean individuals were further used to identify nearby MHs. In total, 21 CpG-MH loci including 16 semen-specific methylated CpGs and five epidermis-specific methylated CpGs were selected. Enzymatic conversion followed by massively parallel sequencing (MPS) was performed on 49 samples, including 16 single-source samples and 33 semen- or epidermis-containing mixtures with a 1:1 ratio, to simultaneously analyze the target CpGs and MHs. We performed tissue-specific DNA profiling using methylation status at the target CpGs. The assay demonstrated that, in mixed profiles with a 1:1 ratio—previously difficult to interpret using conventional methods—non-target tissue alleles could be effectively excluded, leaving predominantly target tissue alleles. Although tissue-specific DNA profiling requires more sophisticated modeling that accounts for allele zygosity, allele dropout, and a larger number of markers to ensure sufficient individual discrimination power, the CpG-MH assay is capable of extracting valuable information even from mixtures with similar proportions of two contributors, including semen or epidermis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103429"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From cold case to conviction: How advanced DNA technologies such as mtDNA sequencing connected two brutal homicides","authors":"Patrick Dieltjes,&nbsp;Yvonne van de Wal,&nbsp;Marcelle Vos,&nbsp;Lisette Doodkorte,&nbsp;Natalie E.C. Weiler,&nbsp;Kristiaan J. van der Gaag,&nbsp;Titia Sijen","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cold case investigations involve revisiting case circumstances and prior evidentiary material. Novel or improved methods better suited to minute, mixed or degraded samples may provide new leads or higher evidential values. Here, we describe a reinvestigation started in 2016 of a 2004 murder case in which the body parts of a young woman were found in five double-bagged rubbish bags in the city of Amsterdam. Resampling and autosomal DNA-profiling of one of the rubbish bags knot areas resulted in a low LR for a man who had had sexual contact just before the victim went missing. This man became therefore suspect in this case. Detailed trace examination of stored upholstering of the backseat of the car of the 2004 victim revealed blood-stained sand particles and small botanical material. DNA profiling presented a match to a young woman who was found naked and brutally murdered on an embankment in Amsterdam in 2003. Both women worked as prostitutes but did not know each other. Moreover, the suspect in the 2004 case was found to have had sexual contact with the 2003 victim shortly before she deceased. A crucial DNA link between the two cases was provided through mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of samplings of the rubbish bag knots. Because the 2004 DNA extracts contained insufficient material for autosomal analysis, massively parallel sequencing (MPS)-based mtDNA profiling was performed[1]. At that time, our laboratory had just validated and implemented MPS, allowing detection of minor mtDNA contributions as low as 3 % in mixtures. Remarkably, one sample yielded a match with both the 2004 victim and the suspect, while another matched the 2004 and the 2003 victim. A scenario could be that the suspect used the car of the 2004 victim to dispose not only of her body parts but also of an artefact from the 2003 case. A 2021 court of appeal decision convicted the suspect for both these, and a third, homicide also involving a young prostitute. Looking back, several aspects contributed to resolving the cold case: saving evidentiary items so that these can be reanalysed in later years when methods have advanced, scrutinous trace examination detecting blood-stained sand and botanical particles, furthering (mt)DNA analyses to deal better with low-level mixtures, improved DNA profile interpretation presenting higher evidentiary values by applying a continuous probabilistic genotyping model, and daring to apply these novel techniques in cases and report to the court.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103407"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145600399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stolen babies in Spain: The long and winding search for an illegally adopted daughter","authors":"Antonio Alonso ,&nbsp;Pablo Martín ,&nbsp;Manuel López ,&nbsp;Manuel Crespillo ,&nbsp;María José Farfán","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103431","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103431","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper delves into the complex and protracted search for origins by individuals illegally adopted in Spain, using the emblematic case of Inés Madrigal as a central narrative. It examines the historical context surrounding allegations of widespread newborn abduction and irregular adoptions, addressing the discrepancy between unsubstantiated claims of 300,000 cases and the findings of official investigations. The article analyzes the critical role of forensic science, particularly DNA analysis of exhumed remains and hospital biopsies, in investigating these allegations. The findings of the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences are discussed, highlighting that in a majority of investigated cases involving alleged newborn abduction in public hospitals, DNA analysis confirmed the deceased status of the infants, challenging the widespread narrative of systematic baby snatching. Furthermore, the paper explores the pivotal application of direct-to-consumer genetic genealogy testing in the case of Inés Madrigal, which ultimately led to the identification of her biological family despite the lack of matches in traditional forensic DNA databases. The legal journey of Inés Madrigal, including the landmark trial against Dr. Eduardo Vela and the subsequent rulings by the Provincial Court and the Supreme Court, are analyzed, underscoring the legal complexities and the issue of prescription in these cases. Finally, the article discusses the future role of forensic sciences in assisting illegally adopted individuals, emphasizing the need for enhanced collaboration between affected associations and state administration, promoting the use of available public services like the Ministry of Justice's information service and DNA database, and considering the potential of a regulated forensic genetic genealogy program. The paper underscores the importance of forensic investigations in uncovering the truth, providing justice for victims, and differentiating between cases of newborn abduction and irregular adoptions where parental consent may have been coerced or absent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103431"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using DNA to restore the identity and dignity of Richmond’s ancestors: The East Marshall Street Well Project","authors":"Filipa Simão ,&nbsp;Sierra Laveroni ,&nbsp;Michelle Woo ,&nbsp;Daniela Frausto ,&nbsp;Amber Mundy ,&nbsp;Martin MacStudy ,&nbsp;Christopher Twene ,&nbsp;Andrea Malchow ,&nbsp;Andrea Sanjurjo ,&nbsp;Baneshwar Singh ,&nbsp;Tal Simmons","doi":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103422","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103422","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In 1994, a 19th-century well containing commingled skeletal remains was discovered in Richmond, Virginia. These remains, primarily stolen from African American burial grounds, had been used at the Medical College of Virginia for dissection practices. The East Marshall Street Well Project was established in 2013 to foster community discussions on this discovery. Following the consultation process, the Family Representative Council (FRC) was formed to represent the descendant community of those found in the well and guide respectful memorialization and reburial efforts. Genetic and anthropological research was approved, aiming to reassociate the commingled remains into individuals and to provide insights into their ancestral origins. Through DNA analysis, bones belonging to 33 individuals were reassociated. Although degradation and commingling limited full reassociation, 36 unique INNUL profiles were identified, establishing a minimum of 36 adult individuals. Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes from the juvenile remains indicated the presence of at least six juveniles. Ancestry-informative markers confirmed predominantly African heritage, with mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome data linking the African ancestors of the EMSW individuals to Central-West Africa. This aligns with documented patterns of displacement during the transatlantic slave trade. Anthropological analysis of skeletal biography and postmortem skeletal markers provided insight into the heavy labor endured by these individuals during their lives and the disregard for their bodies after death. This study is crucial for ensuring respectful burial and proper memorialization, honoring the individuals’ personhood, dignity, and historical significance. By shedding light on their origins and experiences, it helps the descendant community address past injustices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50435,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International-Genetics","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103422"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}