Identifying criminals from a single cell

22 January 2024
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New advances in single cell DNA profiling could make it possible to identify individuals from even the smallest traces.

And a new project, led by the Earlham Institute, is set to explore whether the justice system could use these to create DNA profiles from complex crime scene evidence.

A consortium of researchers has been awarded nearly £625k to work with experts across the criminal justice system. They will be exploring whether cutting-edge sequencing technologies could be used by forensic scientists to identify individuals who have been involved in crimes. 

The project - Single-cell and single molecule analysis for DNA identification (SCAnDi) - will examine whether new techniques in the single-cell analysis field could add valuable new DNA evidence to investigations when used by forensic investigators.

Dr Iain Macaulay, Technical Development Group Leader at the Earlham Institute, is leading the SCAnDi project, alongside experts at The James Hutton Institute, University of Edinburgh, University of Portsmouth, University of Derby, Liverpool John Moores University, and Edge Hill University.

Humans shed cells wherever they go. These cells often tell a story. For example, depending on whether an individual is bleeding on, or touching a surface they will leave behind two different types of cell. 

Each of these cells can contain DNA. This is already used as evidence to identify an individual - or rule them out - in criminal cases.

However, identification becomes much more difficult when cells from multiple individuals are mixed together. Around 45 per cent of forensic samples within the UK criminal justice system are believed to contain human DNA from two or more individuals. 

If there is DNA from more than one person present, traditional analytical techniques may miss smaller traces from certain individuals. Investigations potentially lose information about the cell type or origin of the cell. Mixed samples can also considerably reduce the success of searches against DNA databases. 

This means it can be more difficult to piece together a clear story of how an event took place, or to ensure justice is delivered for people involved in a crime.

Our platforms for cell sorting, automation, and genomics are world-class and give us an exceptional environment in which to develop and test these approaches.

Dr Iain Macaulay, Earlham Institute

Single-cell analysis allows genomes to be constructed from much smaller amounts of genetic material. It is often used to explore differences between individual cells in mixed samples. For example, it has been used in cancer research to identify different genetic mutations between cells in different parts of the same tumour.

These approaches could allow DNA profiles to be constructed from cells found at the scene of a crime. These profiles can also be linked with images of the cell, which could provide valuable contextual information to forensic experts - particularly where there are mixed samples. 

Dr Iain Macaulay has more than a decade’s experience in establishing and applying single-cell genomic approaches.

He said: “Knowing the genetic origin of individual cells in a mixture - and perhaps linking that with images of the cells - could give us new information about how, when, and why this DNA ended up at a crime scene.”

He explained the project will explore not only whether single-cell approaches would be valuable in forensics, but also whether they would be practical. Engagement with the whole criminal justice system will be critical in deciding if - and how - the technology could be applied. 

“We’ll be working with people in different parts of the justice system to explore the practicalities of using this technique, and whether these approaches would fit into the way they work.”

Co-investigator Dr Lorna Dawson, from the James Hutton Institute, will be working with potential end users in the criminal justice system (CJS) - including forensic practitioners, service providers and legal experts - to identify their needs, timeframes and challenges.

“This innovative project could substantially enhance the reliability of use of human DNA in criminal investigations and evidence in court. It will also pave the way for the safe use of non-human DNA in a wide range of criminal and environmental applications.

“Pivotal to its success is its co-construction with a wide range of stakeholders, advising on its safe development and future use, in the UK and globally. We are honoured to manage the engagement with the interested wider stakeholder community within the CJS.”

Dr Macaulay believes the project will benefit from the Earlham Institute’s National Bioscience Research Infrastructure in Transformative Genomics. This is strategically supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UKRI.

“Our platforms for cell sorting, automation, and genomics are world-class and give us an exceptional environment in which to develop and test these approaches,” he said. 

A key aspect of the project will be establishing a network of forensic practitioners, commercial suppliers, researchers, and investigative and legal representatives. The SCAnDi network will meet regularly to ensure the technical deliveries of the research remain aligned with the needs of the Criminal Justice Systems across the UK and beyond.

Notes to editors.

SCAnDi was awarded £624,387 by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UKRI. Work is set to start in April 2024 and expected to last a year.

For further information, or to request interviews, please contact Amy Lyall at the Earlham Institute on 01603 450994 or amy.lyall@earlham.ac.uk

The multi-disciplinary project involves several strands of further work, complementing the work on single-cell analysis.

Complex mixtures of cells, both baseline data and those mimicking crime scene samples, will be obtained for analysis by Dr Katherine Brown from the University of Portsmouth, Dr George Zouganelis from the University of Derby, and Dr Nick Dawnay from Liverpool John Moores University.

Cell mixtures will be catalogued and divided between institutions for various analyses. These will include standard human DNA fingerprinting, but also innovative next generation amplification and sequencing methods to ascertain what DNA can be obtained and whether we can determine its origin.

Dr Katherine Brown, Principal Lecturer in Forensic Science, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth, says:

“The SCAnDI project is revolutionary and I am proud that the University of Portsmouth is a partner. It puts the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the forefront of innovative ideas and research that underpins our investigative processes. The project builds our research and teaching capacity, expertise and student experiences, preparing our graduates for the fast-paced environment that is forensic science.”

Dr George Zouganelis, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at the University of Derby, says:

“This effort will contribute in changing the way that we look at DNA evidence, especially in highly complex samples encountered in serious crimes.

“It is very exciting that the University of Derby’s OMICS facility (facility dedicated to advanced molecular biology diagnostics) will be a part of the SCAnDI project.

“Our contribution to this project is an essential part of a greater effort to increase our research and teaching aptitude and to enhance the student experience of our Forensic Science graduate and undergraduate students.”

Dr Nick Dawnay, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Liverpool John Moores University, said: 

“This project represents an exciting step forward in forensic science. Traditionally we have to work with multiple cells to generate a DNA profile and when evidence samples are mixed getting a clean single-source DNA profile is incredibly difficult. 

“The ability to not only identify an individual from a single cell but to first detect and capture that cell would represent a breakthrough.”

Professor Ardhendu Behera from Edge Hill University is working on automated imaging of cells and links to DNA sequences generated from the cell.

“This initiative not only fills a critical gap in current practices but also holds promise for revolutionising technology's role in speeding up key aspects of criminal justice processes.

“Unveiling AI's potential in the UK's Criminal Justice Systems, this project innovates computer vision for automating the identification and detection of intact and fragmented sperm cells in complex mixtures in images. The goal is to cut turnaround times in forensic specimen examination.”

Dr Michael Chen from the University of Edinburgh is looking into microfluidic approaches which could potentially allow in-field isolation of cells.

Dr Michael Chen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, said:

“I’m honoured to be a part of this groundbreaking research, which has huge potential to enhance the reliability and use of DNA in criminal investigations and court evidence.

“The techniques used to enable the in-field isolation of individual cells from forensic samples and subsequent single-cell analysis of DNA could transform the field of forensic science for good.”

 

About the Earlham Institute

The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

Embracing the full breadth of life on Earth, our scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

The Earlham Institute is based within the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UKRI, as well as support from other research funders.

@EarlhamInst  /  Earlham Institute

Tags: single-cell

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