One of Othram’s guiding principles is that forensic tools should be designed from the ground up to meet the real-world demands of law enforcement investigations. Criminal investigations and justice should not rely on repurposed tools from other industries. We all should seek technology built specifically for the unique challenges of forensic work.
Years ago, when Othram entered the forensic market, we faced a landscape where off-the-shelf methods, originally designed for consumer or medical testing, were being used. These methods were far from optimized for the complexity of forensic samples, often yielding suboptimal results—or no results at all when there were data to be obtained.
Recognizing this gap, we built an integrated technology stack of laboratory methods and software tools designed specifically to address the unique challenges of forensic DNA analysis, and particularly low-quantity input, degraded DNA, and contamination. Today, in part because of these purpose built tools, more forensic genetic genealogy cases have been solved with Othram technology than with any other method.
But solving cases isn’t enough. We also must ensure that our tools work within the operational requirements of our partners and stakeholders. Whether it is a public laboratory expanding its DNA testing capabilities, a tribal nation asserting data sovereignty, an investigator seeking a lead, or a military unit operating in a secure environment, success depends on tools that function under real-world conditions and constraints.
That’s why we developed SNPSuite, a fully offline, cross-platform desktop application that enables sensitive forensic DNA analysis to be performed locally, securely, and rapidly. The software runs on both MacOS and Windows platforms.
Designed for use in resource-limited or high-security environments, SNPSuite empowers forensic professionals and investigators to carry out comprehensive SNP-based analysis without relying on internet connectivity or external cloud infrastructure.
Supporting Public Labs in Adopting of Forensic SNP Testing
As forensic laboratories expand their capabilities, many are moving beyond just STR testing. SNP-based methods offer greater resolution, improved tolerance for degraded samples, and support for distant kinship inference and biogeographical ancestry prediction. But this transition is complex, requiring new data formats, analytical models, and validation protocols.
SNPSuite bridges this gap by providing an offline forensic SNP analysis platform that integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. It enables laboratories to adopt modern DNA analysis methods without compromising privacy or requiring major infrastructure changes.
Until now, SNPSuite has been used internally at Othram and by select federal partners operating in high-security environments. Beginning in July, the software will be made widely available to public laboratories seeking to onboard forensic SNP testing capabilities and expand their investigative toolkit. If you cannot wait until July, join our beta program and start using SNPSuite today.
Core Capabilities of SNPSuite
SNPSuite supports a range of forensic DNA analysis tasks, including:
- DNA profile quality control (e.g., SNP count, call rate)
- Biological sex prediction
- Biogeographical ancestry estimation
- One-to-one and one-to-many SNP profile comparisons
The software dynamically adapts to the available SNP data without requiring a fixed list of markers, enabling use across a variety of DNA data formats. SNPSuite currently supports most standard consumer and commercial DNA genotyping file types and can be extended easily to accommodate additional or custom formats.
The analysis can be applied to a single profile, a profile pair, or a local database of profiles. The capabilities at the core of SNPSuite are tested with real-world casework and grounded in peer-reviewed scientific research and the scientific literature.
Putting SNPSuite to the Test
In this walkthrough, we show how SNPSuite Version 3.11.1 performs on an off-the-shelf M4 MacBook, using real DNA data.
The "One to One" Comparison
In the above example, a pairwise comparison was performed using two GenomeStudio-format SNP profiles representing a known father and his daughter. SNPSuite autodetects the format and reports that both profiles contain over 650,000 SNPs, with call rates of 98.3% and 99.7%, respectively. Starting the analysis triggers a local analysis of the profiles and the computation of identity-by-descent (IBD) segments shared between the two individuals.
After completing the analysis, SNPSuite generates a comprehensive set of outputs designed to support investigative interpretation and documentation. These outputs include a biological sex report (PDF), which reports the inferred biological sex based on sex chromosome SNPs; biogeographical ancestry reports in both CSV and PDF formats, with graphical visualizations and uncertainty metrics to capture admixture and confidence intervals; and a kit statistics report (CSV) that summarizes the quality of the input profiles, including SNP counts and call rates. Additionally, and importantly, SNPSuite produces a KinSNP® report that visualizes shared segments, including per-chromosome segment lengths, overlapping SNP counts, and match types distinguished by color coding. The KinSNP® report provides a clear, interpretable view of the genetic relationship between the two individuals.
The "One to Many" Comparison
In the above view, SNPSuite enables users to perform large-scale, offline comparisons by effectively turning a local folder of DNA profiles into a private, on-device reference database—no internet connection or external servers required. By selecting a single query DNA profile and a directory of reference profiles, investigators can screen one profile against hundreds or thousands of others, all from a local computer system. An optional caching feature further accelerates this process by storing pre-parsed versions of each comparison file for faster future analysis. This capability allows agencies and laboratories to build and maintain their own secure, internal DNA databases—enabling rapid, privacy-preserving one-to-many searches without ever needing to upload data to the cloud.
Built for Scale and Durability
SNPSuite was designed for accuracy, security, and for day-to-day use in high-throughput forensic environments. As mentioned above, SNPSuite includes a caching system that reduces processing time for repeat comparisons. Once a file is processed, it is stored in a local cache, enabling faster future analyses without re-parsing raw input—an important advantage when working with large local databases or conducting frequent queries.
Using an off-the-shelf M4 MacBook, it takes a few minutes to process a search against ~6500 profiles. Post-caching, subsequent searches are completed in less than a minute.
The software is also built to handle the challenges of imperfect forensic data. If a file is incomplete or malformed, SNPSuite skips it without interrupting the analysis and generates a clear, user-readable error log for follow-up (see above).
Trusted in Mission-Critical Operations
In 2024, AFWERX, a directorate of the U.S. Air Force, selected Othram for a $1.25 million SBIR Phase II contract to help accelerate DNA-assisted identifications of missing service members and other unidentified individuals. These missions—led by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES), and Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)—often require tools, like SNPSuite, that can operate fully offline.
In 2025, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit (BIA MMU) selected Othram to support Operation Spirit Return, a nationwide initiative to help Native American communities reunite with their missing and unidentified loved ones. A core goal of the project is to respect and preserve tribal data sovereignty. SNPSuite’s ability to analyze data locally—without uploading anything to external servers—makes it uniquely suited for this mission as well.
Purpose-Built, Peer-Tested, and Ready to Deploy
Forensic investigations critically impact victims, families, and entire communities. These investigations deserve more than modified research tools or "hand-me-down" technology from other industries. They require purpose-built systems that reflect the complexity, sensitivity, and urgency of the work.
SNPSuite is one of those systems. It was designed to meet investigators where they are—whether in a local laboratory with limited infrastructure, a field deployment with no network access, or a federal agency operating under the highest levels of security. It removes much of the friction that slows progress: format incompatibility, internet and cloud requirements, privacy concerns, and reliance on specialized hardware or infrastructure.
Whether you are attempting to solve a cold case or working on an active investigation—and whether your data are generated in-house or by an external forensic laboratory—SNPSuite delivers forensic-grade, privacy-first SNP analysis, right from your desktop. No cloud required. No compromises.
Be one of the first to try SNPSuite by joining our beta program. Also, Othram provides comprehensive training, software, and support to bring forensic SNP testing and forensic genetic genealogy in-house. If you are ready to upgrade your forensic capabilities, then reach out—we will guide you every step of the way.
