Forensic tri-allelic SNP genotyping using nanopore sequencing

The potential and current state-of-the-art of forensic SNP genotyping using nanopore sequencing was investigated with a panel of 16 tri-allelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), multiplexing five samples per sequencing run. The sample set consisted of three single-source human genomic reference control DNA samples and two GEDNAP samples, simulating casework samples. The primers for the multiplex SNP-loci PCR were taken from a study which researched their value in a forensic setting using conventional single-base extension technology. Workflows for multiplexed Oxford Nanopore Technologies 1D and 1D(2) sequencing were developed that provide correct genotyping of most SNP loci. Loci that are problematic for nanopore sequencing were characterized. When such loci are avoided, nanopore sequencing of forensic tri-allelic SNPs is technically feasible.