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Developing the Innovative Gene Geographical and Genomic Technologies for Identification and Revealing the Personal Features by Studying the Gene Pools of the Regional Populations

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Abstract

Global and Russian experience in using DNA technologies in investigation of crimes showed that the technologies are superior to other forensic identification methods in personal identification of an unknown individual. The present study considers the main current approaches that utilize genetic technologies in forensic studies, including DNA identification and DNA phenotyping. Advantages and drawbacks are discussed for several approaches. An emphasis is placed on the achievements of Russian researchers and the prospects of further molecular genetic studies in the field of forensic medicine. The main results obtained in the “DNA Identification” scientific and technical program of the Union State of Russia and Belarus are described with the focus on establishing the probable appearance, age, psychoemotional status, and ethnogeographic and population origin of an unknown person by examining his or her DNA with the use of high-throughput sequencing techniques. As a result of the program, an extended version of DNA identification kits, which have been adapted to the available and prospective resources and equipment used in forensic labs of the Union State, have been designed.

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Funding

The present study was performed within the framework of the scientific and technical program of the Union State “Development of Innovative Gene Geographical and Genomic Technologies for Identifying and Revealing the Personal Features by Studying the Gene Pools of the Regional Populations of the Union State” (“DNA Identification”) with the financial support of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (state contract no. 1 DNA-2017/2017-28-068 of August 30, 2017) and Ministry of Science and Higher Education of The Russian Federation (state contract no. 011-17 of September 26, 2017).

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  1. Institute of Genetics and Cytology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220072, Minsk, Republic of Belarus

    A. V. Kilchevsky

  2. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    N. K. Yankovsky

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  1. A. V. Kilchevsky
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  2. N. K. Yankovsky
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Correspondence to A. V. Kilchevsky or N. K. Yankovsky.

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The present study contains no data on research involving animals as the objects of the study.

The present study contains no data on research involving humans as the objects of the study.

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Kilchevsky, A.V., Yankovsky, N.K. Developing the Innovative Gene Geographical and Genomic Technologies for Identification and Revealing the Personal Features by Studying the Gene Pools of the Regional Populations. Russ J Genet 57, 1361–1369 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795421120073

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