Abstract:
Forensic DNA profiling combines the dynamic science of molecular genetics with the
complexities of the forensic context. As such, throughout its twenty-year history, this field
has seen continuous change, remarkable growth and an associated level of public, legal and
scientific scrutiny previously unknown in the forensic sciences. Almost ubiquitously,
applications of forensic DNA profiling have focused on resolving the identity of the donor
of a particular sample of biological evidence. This is typically achieved by targeting noncoding
microsatellite (or STR) loci. Recently however, novel techniques have emerged that
target different DNA polymorphisms and allow scientists to address additional questions
about the evidence, beyond the identification of source. In this short review we introduce
an example of this next generation of forensic DNA techniques, single nucleotide polymorphisms
(or SNPs). We summarise their molecular and technological basis and the manner
in which they may be applied to further advance the capabilities of forensic investigators.
