Genetic diversity and forensic parameters of autosomal STR markers included Investigator® HDplex panel in the general population of the Russian Federation

Abstract

Modern STR multiplexes used for parentage and kinship testing typically contain 20–30 informative loci. However, in certain cases, additional markers are necessary to address uncertainties and inconclusive cases. The Investigator® HDplex multiplex includes loci that are often utilized as supplementary markers and are not part of the standard STR identification systems. In our study, we examined a total of 558 unrelated individuals from 76 geographically distinct localities across all eight Federal Districts of the Russian Federation. We present key forensic parameters and allele frequencies obtained from this analysis. We evaluated the intra-population genetic diversity among the Federal District populations and compared the general population of the Russian Federation with populations from various regions around the world. SE33 exhibited the highest level of polymorphism, with 48 detected alleles, while D4S2366 and D6S474 displayed the fewest alleles (7). Heterozygosity values across all loci ranged from 0.7616 for D4S2366 to 0.9337 for SE33. We did not observe any significant deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium for the loci studied. The maximum FST value between the Russian sub-populations was 0.003. Comparison of the general population of the Russian Federation with populations from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, largely supported the historical relationship between the studied population and their respective biogeography.