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
Advancing forensic SNP typing: Insights from an interlaboratory study of the FORCE panel
Forensic Science International: Genetics, Vol. 84, Article 103513
(Article in journal)
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103513
Preparing for shotgun sequencing in forensic genetics - Benchmarking of tools for read mapping, genotype calling, and imputation
Forensic Science International: Genetics, Vol. 84, Article 103505
(Article in journal)
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103505
Swedish population data for 37 autosomal, 12 X-chromosomal and 23 Y-chromosomal STR loci
International journal of legal medicine
(Article in journal)
https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-026-03793-2
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)
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2026.103432
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)
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103409