Potential highly polymorphic short tandem repeat markers for enhanced forensic identity testing

In this study, STRs were explored in public datasets that displayed sequence variation and may have limited allele length spread. STRs were first selected using fundamental criteria of high heterozygosity, tetra-, penta-, or hexanucleotide repeat length, and overall relative narrow allele spread (based on length). All candidates were further scrutinized for chemistry compatibility. The resulting STRs were multiplexed and sequenced by massively parallel sequencing in a limited sample population set. Each candidate STR was evaluated for analytical performance and desired biological properties. The findings presented describe a refined set of 53 potentially highly polymorphic STR markers (high sequence diversity and heterozygosity; reduced allele spread) that may be suitable to supplement the current core marker set(s) for possible enhanced characterization of complex DNA profiles.
Source: Forensic Science International: Genetics - Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research