Liane Fendt
Papers
1
Total Citations
99
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1
About
Dr. Liane Fendt is a leading figure in forensic genetics, with her research centrally focused on advancing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis for human identification. Her most impactful contribution is the development of high-quality, forensic-grade reference data for complete mitochondrial genomes. Her landmark 2014 study, cited nearly 100 times, established a foundational dataset of 588 haplotypes representing three major U.S. populations. This work was critical for enabling the transition from traditional, partial mtDNA profiling to the more powerful and discriminating full genome sequencing, particularly for challenging forensic samples like degraded bones or hair shafts. By providing the necessary population frequency data, Dr. Fendt’s research directly supports the statistical interpretation of complex mtGenome profiles in criminal casework and missing persons investigations. Her efforts have been instrumental in validating massively parallel sequencing technologies for forensic use, ensuring that new methods are backed by robust, court-defensible reference data. Through this foundational work, she has helped shape the modern landscape of forensic DNA analysis, providing the tools needed to unlock genetic information from the most difficult evidence.
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