Functional Genomics and Eye Color Prediction

Authors: Gruber M, Bogdon E, Blonde M, and Coyle HM*

DOI: 10.23880/ijfsc-16000334

Volume 8, Issue 4

Abstract

The ability to reconstruct a recognizable face from skeletal remains is a useful investigative tool for human identification. Functional genomics plays a role in facial reconstruction through the identification of the regulation of pigmentation pathways. Functional genomics here refers to the study of how genes and intergenic sequences contribute to metabolic pathways and work together to produce a particular phenotype. This form of genetic information adds and confirms the physical traits that help with a visual identification of a person by allowing for the biological predictions of pigmentation for eye, hair, and skin color in facial reconstruction. The principle of SNP testing for eye color prediction from human tooth DNA using both destructive and nondestructive DNA extraction methods is presented using the IrisPlex eye color prediction software. This IrisPlex eye color prediction software is not one hundred percent accurate, and we have explored the classification issues behind those discrepancies by examining DNA from blue, brown, and intermediate eye color donors as well as those donors exhibiting heterochromia (mixed eye colors). The importance of correct prediction of eye color for facial reconstruction is to aid in correct identification of skeletal remains through forensic phenotyping investigation. Irisplex is useful for the correct prediction of blue and brown eye individuals but is less able to distinguish between the subcategories of grey, green, heterochromia and hazel for the intermediate category.

Keywords: DNA; SNP; Functional Genomics; Eye Color; Forensic Science

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