ECU researchers develop new method for human identification which could potentially transform forensic science
Researchers have developed a new method for detecting human identity that could be a powerful new tool for criminal investigations.
A multi-partner research collaboration led by ChemCentre’s Forensic Proteomics Research Group and University of California, Davis Professor Glendon Parker is using protein-based analysis (proteomics) to examine the proteins in a single strand of hair to create a unique profile for each person.
ChemCentre chemists and ECU PhD students Rebecca Tidy and Romy Keane are lead authors of the paper “Proteomic genotyping for individual human identification: Inference of SNPs in the absence of DNA evidence.”
“What we have developed is a new forensic workflow for human identification using hair recovered from crime scenes,” Ms Tidy said.
“This new technique is called proteomic genotyping and relies on the detection of genetically variable peptides in single strands of hair to extract genetic information that can then be used for individual identification.”
Typically, forensic scientists use DNA testing to identify people from biological evidence such as blood, hair or skin cells.
While DNA-based methods are still the well-established standard for human identification, Ms. Tidy said proteomic genotyping can be used when DNA evidence is not available.
“DNA can degrade over time or when exposed to harsh conditions, and when DNA evidence is absent or degraded, forensic investigations can be limited,” he said.
“This is not intended to replace existing DNA-based methods, which are considered the gold standard. This new method is a complementary technique in scenarios where DNA has not been recovered from a crime scene or has become too degraded to be usable.”
Ms Keane said proteins generally survived longer than DNA, which was a game changer for cold cases.
“Structural proteins persist much longer than DNA in harsh environments and remain detectable in tissues long after DNA has been too fragmented for analysis,” Ms Keane said.
“Hair is always found at crime scenes because it is so common, but has historically been underutilized due to the limitations of microscopy techniques.
“Being able to go back and look at hair samples for unsolved cases, as well as identifying disaster victims for whom you wouldn’t take DNA, can have an impact on unsolved case studies and highlight the importance of what we’re looking at.”
Joel Gummer, ECU lecturer and director of research and innovation at the ChemCentre Forensic Science Laboratory, said the findings were a major step forward.
Leading ECU’s Proteomics research team, Dr. Gummer said they found that proteins can be used as substitutes in the absence of DNA.
“Proteins have a sequence, and this sequence is closely linked to the individual’s genome. This process provides a powerful new tool for reliable evidence and research,” he said.
“While the study is comprehensive, further testing and validation will be required before it can be used in criminal cases. However, the technology is highly promising and could one day be presented in court in a similar way to DNA, potentially transforming forensic science.”
The project was recently announced as the WA Government Innovator of the Year at the 2025 Innovators of the Year Awards.
The research was published in Forensic Science International.
