Y-chromosome STRs

Y-chromosome polymorphic loci are linked, resulting in discriminatory power significantly less than a panel of independently segregating somatic STR loci. Discriminatory values can be increased by using a large panel of... 

The major application of CE in forensic biology is in the detection and analysis of short tandem repeats (STRs). STR markers are preferred because of the powerful statistical result that is possible with these markers and the large databases that exist for convicted offenders profiles. Other related applications include the analysis of haploid markers in the Y chromosome and in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Nonhuman DNA testing can also be performed depending on the circumstances of the case. The techniques involved include genotyping, DNA sequencing, and mutation detection. 

When a sample of suspect blood arrives at the laboratory, it may be useful to determine the sex of the donor (for example, in the case of criminal abortion). Low-performance older techniques (search as for the sex chromatin, Barr s body, Y-chromosome fluorescence, etc) and other methods such as the determination of sex hormone levels (progesterone/ testosterone) have been replaced by procedures for detecting sites on the X and Y chromosomes using PCR. At present, the sex determination is carried out at the same time that the genetic profile is determined when using multiplex STR kits. 

---