Mutation rates at 17 STR loci in the Belarusian population

Abstract

Autosomal loci with short tandem repeats (STR) are widely used for the human identification. Knowledge about the locus-specific mutation rates of STRs improves forensic probability calculations for the correct interpretation of diversity data and appropriate evaluation of genetic evidence in parentage and forensic analyses. Mutations of 17 STRs contained in two conventional kits of the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® and PowerPlex®16 systems were studied in 11,744 paternity cases carried out during 2005–2015 in Belarus. In total, 283 mutations were identified at 15 from the 17 analyzed loci. The highest mutation rate was observed at FGA (0.00159), and the lowest at Penta E (0.00035). No mutation was observed at the TH01 and TPOX loci.