Estimation of population specific values of theta for sequence-based STR profiles

Yao-Yuan Liu; Jo-Anne Bright; Duncan Taylor; Maarten Kruijver; John Buckleton

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102973

Estimation of population specific values of theta for sequence-based STR profiles

Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2024 Jan:68:102973. doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102973. Epub 2023 Oct 28.

Authors

Yao-Yuan Liu¹, Jo-Anne Bright², Duncan Taylor³, Maarten Kruijver², John Buckleton⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Private Bag 92021, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. Electronic address: alex.liu@esr.cri.nz.
² Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Private Bag 92021, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
³ Forensic Science SA, PO Box 2790, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
⁴ Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Private Bag 92021, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.

PMID: 37913640
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102973

Abstract

We describe the estimation of θ (theta) values from autosomal STR sequencing data for five metapopulations. The data were compiled from 20 publications and included 39 datasets comprising a total of 7005 samples. The estimates are suitable for use within the calculation of match probabilities in forensic casework. We also have constructed a phylogenetic tree using this data that aligns with our understanding of human evolution.

Keywords: Forensic STRs; NGS vs CE; Phylogenetic tree; Population genetics; Sequence variation; θ.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Comment

MeSH terms

DNA Fingerprinting*
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Humans
Microsatellite Repeats*
Phylogeny
Sequence Analysis, DNA