Forensic genetic value of a 27 Y-STR loci multiplex (Yfiler(®) Plus kit) in an Italian population sample

Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2016 Mar:21:e1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.11.006. Epub 2015 Nov 22.

Abstract

The analysis of Y chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) haplotypes provides important information that can be used for investigative purposes and in population studies. The Yfiler(®) Plus PCR Amplification kit (Yfiler(®) Plus, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) allows the multiplex amplification of 27 Y-STRs, including 7 rapidly mutating markers (RM Y-STRs). In this study, 203 unrelated males from Italy, which were subdivided into 4 different geographical groups (North, Center, South and Sardinia) were analyzed. Several intra-population diversity indexes were computed and compared to those obtained using only loci either from the minimal haplotype or the 17-plex (Yfiler(®), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). In addition, inter-population diversity analysis (RST) among the four Italian samples was performed. The same analysis was also used to compare the Italian sub-sets to other European populations where the Yfiler(®) Plus haplotype frequency data were available. The Sardinians were significantly differentiated from the other three Italian groups, thus requiring a specific sub-national Y-STR haplotype database. The Yfiler(®) Plus kit showed a high power of discrimination which is useful for criminal investigations, principally due to the inclusion of RM Y-STRs.

Keywords: Italian population; Rapidly mutating Y-markers; Sardinian population; Y-STR; Yfiler(®) plus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Human, Y*
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA Fingerprinting / methods*
  • Female
  • Forensic Genetics / methods*
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetics, Population
  • Haplotypes / genetics
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • DNA