Jennifer L. Higginbotham
Papers
1
Total Citations
99
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Jennifer L. Higginbotham is a leading figure in forensic genetics, with her research centered on advancing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis for human identification. Her most impactful work, the 2014 paper "Full mtGenome reference data: Development and characterization of 588 forensic-quality haplotypes representing three U.S. populations," has garnered 99 citations and stands as a cornerstone in the field. This study addressed a critical gap by generating high-quality, population-specific reference data essential for interpreting full mitochondrial genome sequences—a transition from traditional control-region analysis to whole-genome forensic profiling. By developing and characterizing haplotypes from three major U.S. populations, Dr. Higginbotham provided the foundational dataset that enables forensic laboratories to leverage massively parallel sequencing technologies for degraded or challenging specimens. Her contributions have directly shaped the adoption of complete mtGenome analysis in forensic casework, significantly improving the discriminatory power and reliability of mtDNA evidence. Through this landmark work, she has helped establish the statistical frameworks and reference databases that are now standard in modern forensic genetics, making her a key architect of next-generation mitochondrial DNA identification.
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Top Papers
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