Cracking the Code: How Next-Generation Sequencing is Redefining Forensic DNA Analysis.
Cracking the Code: How Next-Generation Sequencing is Redefining Forensic DNA Analysis. For decades, forensic DNA analysis has relied heavily on Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), a method that revolutionized criminal justice by enabling accurate human identification. However, as cases have grown more complex—especially involving degraded, mixed, or minimal biological evidence—conventional DNA typing has faced limitations. Enter Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) : a breakthrough in genomic technology that is reshaping the future of forensic science. Next-Generation Sequencing, also known as massively parallel sequencing (MPS), allows forensic scientists to decode vast regions of the genome at once, offering a far more comprehensive look at DNA than traditional capillary electrophoresis-based methods. This ability to simultaneously analyze thousands of genetic markers enables higher discrimination between individuals, even in cases involving complex mixtures or degraded samples. Unlike tr...