Belgian canine population and purebred study for forensics by improved mitochondrial DNA sequencing

Area of Science:

• Forensic science
• Genetics
• Canine population studies

Background:

• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) profiling, specifically HV1 and HV2 regions, is crucial for canine forensic population studies.
• Initial Belgian database efforts faced challenges with poor sequence quality due to nuclear pseudogene co-amplification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve canine mtDNA sequencing quality for forensic applications.
• To establish and analyze a Belgian canine population database for forensic use.
• To investigate breed-specific mtDNA haplotype distributions.

Main Methods:

• Developed a new primer combination to prevent nuclear pseudogene co-amplification with the mtDNA control region.
• Reanalyzed previously poor-quality samples and extended the study to 208 dogs (breed and mixed).
• Analyzed mtDNA haplotypes in 107 Belgian registered pedigree dogs from six breeds.

Main Results:

• The new primer set significantly improved mtDNA sequence quality.
• Identified 58 haplotypes in the Belgian canine population, yielding an exclusion capacity of 0.92.
• Found statistically significant differences in haplotype distribution between specific breeds and the general population sample.

Conclusions:

• The improved mtDNA profiling method enhances forensic canine studies.
• Breed-specific haplotype frequencies are important considerations for mtDNA databasing and probability calculations in canine forensics.
• Belgian canine population data aligns with international findings, but breed variations necessitate careful interpretation.