DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[Teamlasvegas]

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The Sheriff's Office paid $1,250 to DNAPrint Genomics Inc., a forensics lab in Sarasota, to conduct genetic ancestry tests on a bone sample from the infant's remains.

The results showed that there was a "very high probability" that the child was of sub-Saharan African ancestry and a "high probability" that the parents and or grandparents were of Caribbean descent, Troiano said.

The tests are part of the DNAWitness program, a new patented test offered since 2003. Scientists compared the baby's genetic strains with 176 genetic markers endemic to different ancestries - such as European or sub-Saharan African genetic strains.

"What's exciting about this test is at some point law enforcement agencies are going to realize if you use this in the first week of the investigation, you can eliminate large numbers of people by knowing what there ancestry profile is," said Zack Gaskin, a forensic scientist for DNAPrint Genomics Inc.

Since the test's inception, Gaskin said the lab has conducted just under 60 ancestry tests.

The FBI and Scotland Yard have used the test program and test results have notably helped narrow suspects in the case of convicted Louisiana serial killer Derek Todd Lee, Gaskin said.

Meredith Mandell can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail].



http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050108/LOCAL/50107045/1078/news