Next-Generation Sequencing in Forensic Science: Advancements, Limitations, and Applications

Abstract

The majority of forensic DNA analysis nowadays uses length-based short tandem repeat (STR) allele analysis to identify suspects. Among the method’s numerous drawbacks are its restricted applicability to biological materials that have degraded, its inability to identify mixtures, its underutilization of allelic richness, and many more. By increasing the allelic richness in different STR markers, the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique finds the correct alleles based on their sequence variation. In addition to improving discrimination power, this also makes mixture interpretation much more helpful. In order to estimate ancestry, lineage, and traits and produce relevant research leads, NGS-based methods become extremely valuable when combined with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)-based methods. The evolution of the NGS technology and its benefits for forensic DNA analysis are covered in this chapter. © 2027 selection and editorial matter, Ritesh K. Shukla, Kamayani Vajpayee, Hirak Ranjan Dashindividual chapters, the contributors.