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Andreas Tillmar

Adjunct Associate Professor

Presentation

My research aims to develop new DNA methods for forensic genetic applications. The goal is to better address legal questions regarding distant kinship, the identification of human remains, and to provide police with additional information about unidentified individuals, such as appearance and ancestry.

Research

Research areas

  • Enhanced DNA Analyses: My work has led to new DNA methods, utilizing the latest technology for more detailed and sensitive analysis, even with challenging samples, like degraded or low-DNA content materials (e.g., the "FORCE" method, Tillmar et al., 2021).
  • DNA-Based Genealogy: I develop methods to be used for forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) in cases involving unknown DNA donors in cases of human remains or crime scene traces. A key success was solving the Linköping double murder, identifying the perpetrator after over 15 years (e.g. Tillmar et al., 2021, and Tillmar et al., 2020).
  • Population Genetics: My studies explore genetic variation in Sweden, enhancing the understanding of population structures, especially in northern Sweden, and improving forensic DNA interpretation (e.g. Tillmar, 2010).
  • Facial Prediction from DNA: The latest addition to my research involves methods for predicting facial images (phantom pictures) based on DNA information.

Publications

2026

Adam Staadig, Ronny Hedell, Arvid Hedén Gynnå, Ricky Ansell, Andreas Tillmar (2026) Swedish population data for 37 autosomal, 12 X-chromosomal and 23 Y-chromosomal STR loci International journal of legal medicine (Article in journal) Continue to DOI
Siri Aili Fagerholm, Ricky Ansell, Andreas Tillmar (2026) When DNA leads the way: The introduction of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy in Sweden and its first use in Europe Forensic Science International: Genetics, Vol. 83, Article 103432 (Article in journal) Continue to DOI
Magnus D. Vigeland, Stijn Desmyter, Pernilla Haage, Henrik Nordtorp, Femke Van Puymbrouck, Adam Staadig, Andreas Tillmar, Beatrijs Vanhooydonck, Thore Egeland (2026) Using autosomal and X-chromosomal SNPs to identify a victim of the 1956 Marcinelle mining disaster Forensic Science International: Genetics, Vol. 82, Article 103409 (Article in journal) Continue to DOI

2025

Adam Staadig, Maja Krzewinska, Maja Sidstedt, Daniel Kling, Siri Aili Fagerholm, Ricky Ansell, Anders Gotherstrom, Andreas Tillmar (2025) Comparative assessment of SNP genotyping assays for challenging forensic samples utilizing ancient DNA methods Genome Biology, Vol. 26, Article 433 (Article in journal) Continue to DOI
Daniel Kling, Alberte Honore Jepsen, Marie-Louise Kampmann, Stine Bottcher Jacobsen, Andreas Tillmar, Claus Borsting, Jeppe Dyrberg Andersen (2025) Forensic investigative genetic genealogy using genotypes generated or imputed from transcriptomes Forensic Science International: Genetics, Vol. 78, Article 103277 (Article in journal) Continue to DOI

News

Male researcher in lab, blue background light.

Faster narcotics classification of Internet drugs with new method

NPS, new psychoactive substances, are substances developed to affect the brain in a similar way to illegal drugs. Researchers have set up a rapid method for measuring the effect of new NPS and provide scientific basis for narcotics classification.
Police car

Solving a double murder arouses international interest

The use of DNA-based genealogy to solve a double murder opens new possibilities in crime investigation. LiU researchers are spreading new knowledge about the technology, which brings hope to police forces and has aroused major international interest.

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