Robust detection of individual forensic profiles in DNA mixtures

•A panel of 480 low minor allele frequency SNPs was developed to reliably detect contributors in complex DNA mixtures.•DNA from 3, 5, 8, 10 and 15-person mixtures was sequenced and analyzed.•A statistical model of Probability of Random Man Not Excluded [P(RMNE)] was developed. P(RMNE) model incorporates varying allele frequency across loci and mismatched alleles in the mixture and reference profiles.•With zero mismatches, detection of individuals can be obtained in 10-person mixtures equimolar DNA samples with a P(RMNE) of 5.9×10−6.•The method is being extended to larger SNP panels and forensic “touch” samples.