Written by Kameran Wong, QIAGEN, with Meradeth Snow, PhD, University of Montana, and Haley Omeasoo, MA, Ohkomi Forensics

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The Snow Molecular Anthropology Lab (SMAL) is using advanced DNA technology to offer better genetic identification services for underserved groups across the nation. Dr. Meradeth Snow joined the University of Montana as an Associate Professor of Anthropology. Her background in biological anthropology with a focus on ancient DNA meant that her expertise getting genetic material from highly degraded bones and teeth samples frequently encountered by the forensic anthropology program was incredibly valuable. As she began offering genetic testing services through SMAL, she found significant common ground between her work with prehistoric populations and forensic cases, and the increasing shift towards forensics has been incredibly rewarding.

Meradeth’s connections to the worlds of forensic anthropology and forensic casework eventually led her to become the official laboratory collaborator for the Principal Research Group (PRG), a non-profit organization that has been involved with the Sugar Land 95 DNA Project. The goal of the Sugar Land 95 DNA project is to identify the individuals buried in the Bullhead Bayou Camp Cemetery in Texas, now known as the Sugar Land 95. This convict labor camp imprisoned individuals who were convicted of trumped-up charges and forced to work for free in the surrounding sugar cane fields, often in brutal conditions. Together, PRG and SMAL seek to bring a greater awareness of what happened during this post-emancipation era of US history and restore the identities of those who endured such horrific circumstances.

The project had some specific requirements that needed Meradeth’s unique experience. The remains date from approximately 1880 to 1906 when the camp was in operation and the only samples collected were teeth. Due to the quality of the samples and the interval between death and identification, the project benefits from using advanced DNA analyses such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and extended kinship testing, specialties Meradeth had already been applying to other cases. When the PRG reached out, it seemed like the perfect fit. They first evaluated Meradeth’s testing skills by sending a tooth to run mitochondrial DNA. She was able to obtain a full mitogenome which immediately linked several additional families. This led to the SMAL taking over the analysis of the remaining samples from the Sugar Land individuals.

Though the mtDNA analysis was successful and can be a robust means of identification, a more specific way to identify the individuals is needed. Forensic investigative genetic genealogy was the perfect choice for these samples. By using publicly available genealogy databases where participants have elected to allow their data to be searchable, SMAL and PRG hoped to connect families to their ancestors and relatives from the Sugar Land 95. However, a traditional whole-genome sequencing or microarray approach would not be suitable, as maintaining the genetic privacy of the descendants was an important consideration of the project. “We didn’t want to reveal any health-related issues or other genetic information not necessary for identification, and large-scale genome approaches are far more expensive and bioinformatically intensive, often requiring an extra person to just work with the data,” said Meradeth. “We determined that ForenSeq Kintelligence would be the best way to move forward with this project as it was designed to handle poor quality samples and would allow us to easily bring FIGG online in a way that can scale.”

Dr. Meradeth Snow and Haley Omeasoo sit with Laura Barten for an interview at ISHI 34.

While SMAL collaborates with groups across the nation, it’s also powering forensic identifications closer to home. Though Indigenous people make up 6.5% of the Montana population, they account for 30.6% of missing persons reported. Haley Omeasoo, a PhD student at University of Montana and Blackfeet Tribal descendant, founded Ohkomi Forensics to provide forensic services to families affected by the missing and murdered Indigenous people’s (MMIP) epidemic while integrating culturally sensitive practices. Using the facilities of the SMAL, Haley and Ohkomi Forensics will develop the first Indigenous-owned DNA database for the Blackfeet Nation, using the ForenSeq Kintelligence HT workflow.

Haley Omeasoo’s interest in forensic science started with the need for help in solving cases of MMIP on reservations. As a descendant of the Blackfeet Tribe, Haley has felt the direct impact of this epidemic directly on family and friends. She knew that acquiring the skills of a forensic scientist would help, so she double majored in Forensic Anthropology and Human Biology, with a certificate in Forensic Science. She then went on to receive a master’s degree in Forensic Anthropology, where she focused on identifying skeletal trauma markers associated with intimate partner violence. Part of Haley’s PhD project is to build the database that will be used to help identify and return Indigenous persons and remains.

One of the biggest challenges she encounters is the controversy around destructive DNA analysis on potential Indigenous remains and fear of exploitation of the genetic information. A solution was needed that would require as little DNA as possible, target as few loci as possible, and could still provide an identity without requiring external public databases. She decided on the ForenSeq Kintelligence HT workflow as it targets only kinship-informative SNPs with a very small amount of input and leverages a local database that can perform kinship analysis. With this system, the Blackfeet can fully own and control their data as they return their loved ones.

“The Blackfeet tribe is trying to identify family members, but, like many others affected by the MMIP epidemic, were struggling to find answers. ‘Ohkomi’ means to “to use one’s voice” in Blackfeet. I started Ohkomi Forensics because I wanted to use my voice to help my people, and using ForenSeq Kintelligence HT allows us to observe our cultural practices while we respectfully identify and rematriate our loved ones using modern technologies.”

Ohkomi Forensics and the SMAL are amplifying their expertise by using the best technologies available to improve human identifications. Meradeth says “Working on these projects has been an honor and a privilege. I’m not one to really wax on about such things, but I do feel like the SMAL is able to work on these projects for a reason.”

Hear Meradeth speak more about this work during her presentation Identifying the Sugar Land 95: Reestablishing the Identity of the Victims of the Convict Labor Leasing System on Wednesday during the General Session of the upcoming ISHI Symposium.

To learn more about the mission of Ohkomi Forensics, visit Haley's table in the exhibit hall at ISHI 35 this September.