Development of a SNP multiplex assay for the inference of biogeographical ancestry and pigmentation phenotype

Abstract

SNPs exhibiting strong associations with specific populations and/or pigmentation phenotypes have been identified in mitochondrial, Y chromosome and autosomal DNA. Ancestry and phenotype inferences gained from DNA may assist forensic investigations of unknown perpetrators or aid identification of missing persons and disaster victims. To test the predictive power of combining SNPs from all three DNA types, 21 coding region mitochondrial SNPs, 28 Y chromosome SNPs and 14 autosomal SNPs were selected and analysed in a hierarchical multiplex assay.