Comparison of Algorithms for Kinship Inference Using the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit.

Di Scala, C; Grisedale, K; Ward, J; McNevin, D

Comparison of Algorithms for Kinship Inference Using the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit.

Di Scala, C Grisedale, K Ward, J

McNevin, D

Permalink

Publisher:: MDPI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Genes (Basel), 2026, 17, (3), pp. 357
Issue Date:: 2026-03-23

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (2.63 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Di Scala, C
dc.contributor.author	Grisedale, K
dc.contributor.author	Ward, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9359-9806
dc.contributor.author	McNevin, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1665-3367
dc.date.accessioned	2026-04-17T07:53:03Z
dc.date.available	2026-03-17
dc.date.available	2026-04-17T07:53:03Z
dc.date.issued	2026-03-23
dc.identifier.citation	Genes (Basel), 2026, 17, (3), pp. 357
dc.identifier.issn	2073-4425
dc.identifier.issn	2073-4425
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194754
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Forensic kinship analysis is a rapidly developing practice that uses genetic data to identify unknown persons of interest through their genetic relatives. It can be used to generate new leads in forensic investigations, especially those involving long-term missing persons and unidentified human remains. More recently, the advent of SNP profiling panels designed specifically for forensic use has led to the exploration of kinship analysis using medium-density SNP data. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which genetic relationships could be inferred using such data, and to assess the performance of different kinship inference methods. METHODS: Kinship analysis was performed with both real and simulated profiles using the panel of SNPs contained within the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit, with a wide range of relationship types and seven types of kinship inference methods. RESULTS: It was determined that kinship inferences were possible out to the fourth degree of kinship, and all inference methods analysed were equally effective when tested using simulated data. However, some variation between methods was observed when they were analysed using real sample data, suggesting that further study is needed using a larger sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that medium-density SNP data is sufficient for extended kinship inference out to the fourth degree, and that several kinship inference methods are suitable for use with the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit. These findings will support its application in forensic investigations involving the inference of distant genetic relationships.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.ispartof	Genes (Basel)
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/genes17030357
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0604 Genetics
dc.subject.classification	3105 Genetics
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
dc.subject.mesh	Algorithms
dc.subject.mesh	Forensic Genetics
dc.subject.mesh	Pedigree
dc.subject.mesh	DNA Fingerprinting
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	DNA Fingerprinting
dc.subject.mesh	Pedigree
dc.subject.mesh	Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
dc.subject.mesh	Algorithms
dc.subject.mesh	Forensic Genetics
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
dc.subject.mesh	Algorithms
dc.subject.mesh	Forensic Genetics
dc.subject.mesh	Pedigree
dc.subject.mesh	DNA Fingerprinting
dc.title	Comparison of Algorithms for Kinship Inference Using the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	17
utslib.location.activity	Switzerland
utslib.for	0604 Genetics
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Forensic Science (CFS)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-04-17T07:52:57Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	17
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Forensic kinship analysis is a rapidly developing practice that uses genetic data to identify unknown persons of interest through their genetic relatives. It can be used to generate new leads in forensic investigations, especially those involving long-term missing persons and unidentified human remains. More recently, the advent of SNP profiling panels designed specifically for forensic use has led to the exploration of kinship analysis using medium-density SNP data. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which genetic relationships could be inferred using such data, and to assess the performance of different kinship inference methods. METHODS: Kinship analysis was performed with both real and simulated profiles using the panel of SNPs contained within the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit, with a wide range of relationship types and seven types of kinship inference methods. RESULTS: It was determined that kinship inferences were possible out to the fourth degree of kinship, and all inference methods analysed were equally effective when tested using simulated data. However, some variation between methods was observed when they were analysed using real sample data, suggesting that further study is needed using a larger sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that medium-density SNP data is sufficient for extended kinship inference out to the fourth degree, and that several kinship inference methods are suitable for use with the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit. These findings will support its application in forensic investigations involving the inference of distant genetic relationships.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194754