Core Short Tandem Repeat Loci Research Articles

Validation of the Investigator 24plex QS Kit: a 6-dye multiplex PCR assay for forensic application in the Chinese Han population

The Investigator 24plex QS Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) is a 6-dye fluorescent chemistry short tandem repeat (STR) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification system that simultaneously amplifies 20 of the expanded Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) core STR loci, SE33, DYS391, and the standard sex-determining locus, amelogenin, as well as two special internal performance quality sensor controls (QS1 and QS2), which are included in the primer mix to check the PCR performance. This study was designed to be a pilot evaluation of this STR-PCR kit in a Chinese Han population regarding the PCR conditions, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility, and concordance; tolerance to PCR inhibitors; applicability to real “forensic-type” samples; species specificity; mixture, balance and stutter analyses, and utility in a population investigation. The exhaustive validation studies demonstrated that the Investigator 24plex QS system is accurate, sensitive and robust for STR genotyping. In addition, these genetic markers in the population data in our study indicated that they can also be useful for forensic identification and paternity testing in the Chinese Han population.

Massively parallel sequence data of 31 autosomal STR loci from 496 Spanish individuals revealed concordance with CE-STR technology and enhanced discrimination power

This study reports Short Tandem Repeat (STR) sequence-based allele data from 496 Spanish individuals across 31 autosomal STR (auSTR) loci included in the Precision ID GlobalFiler™ NGS STR Panel v2: D12S391, D13S317, D8S1179, D21S11, D3S1358, D5S818, D1S1656, D2S1338, vWA, D2S441, D5S2800, D7S820, D16S539, D6S474, D12ATA63, D4S2408, D6S1043, D19S433, D14S1434, CSF1PO, D10S1248, D18S51, D1S1677, D22S1045, D2S1776, D3S4529, FGA, Penta D, Penta E, TH01 and TPOX. The sequence of each allele was aligned to the reference sequence GRCh37 (hg19) and formatted according to the guidance of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. A subset of 221 samples was evaluated for testing concordance with allele calls derived from CE-based analysis using PowerPlex Fusion 6C, and there was 99.95% allele concordance. Twenty-five out of 31 auSTR loci showed an increased number of alleles due to repeat region sequence variation and/or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) residing in the flanking regions. A total of 18 loci showed increased observed heterozygosity due to sequence variation; the loci exhibiting the greatest increase were: D13S317 (12% points), D5S818 (10% points), D8S1179 (7% points), D3S1358 (7% points), and D21S11 (6% points). The combined match probability decreased from 2.022E-24 (length-based data) to 1.042E-27 (sequence-based data) for the 20 CODIS core STR loci. The combined match probability (sequence-based data) for the 31 STR loci studied was 4.777E-40. The combined typical paternity index increased from 1.118E + 12 to 8.179E + 13 using length and sequence-based data, respectively. This Spanish population study performed in the framework of the EU-funded DNASEQEX project is expected to provide STR sequence-based allele frequencies for forensic casework and support implementation of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology in forensic laboratories.

Expanding beyond the current core STR loci: An exploration of 73 STR markers with increased diversity for enhanced DNA mixture deconvolution

Current approaches to mixture deconvolution of complex biological samples at times do not have the capability to resolve component contributors in DNA evidence. Additional short tandem repeat (STR) loci were sought that may improve the forensic genetic analysis of mixtures. This study presents exploratory data of a multiplex comprised of 73 highly polymorphic STRs (referred herein as the 73Plex) that were selected because of their high diversity due to sequence variation. These STRs (or a subset of them) may be considered as candidates that may augment current core markers capabilities for DNA mixture deconvolution. Population genetics analyses were performed for each locus using DNA samples from 451 individuals comprising three U.S. populations. Sequence-based heterozygosities ranged from 72% to 98%, where only two loci (D10A97 and D6A7) fell below 80%. Mixture deconvolution capabilities for two-person mixtures were assessed based on complete allele resolution per locus (i.e., four alleles observed) of pairwise mixtures using in silico methods. A subset of 20 highly informative loci (referred herein as the 20Plex) from the 73Plex was compared to the 20 CODIS core loci on all population samples with full DNA profiles for both panels (i.e., no locus dropout; n = 443). Based on proportion of loci displaying four alleles, the 20Plex outperformed the CODIS core loci with increases of 82.6% and 89.3% using length-based and sequence-based alleles, respectively. A combination of 17 STR from the 20Plex and 3 CODIS loci gave the highest capacity for resolving allelic components per locus. These data illustrate the increased value of utilizing sequenced-based alleles of additional STR loci. Furthermore, there are a number of candidate STR loci that could notably augment the current core STR loci and enhance mixture interpretation capabilities.

Systematic evaluation of the early access applied biosystems precision ID Globalfiler mixture ID and Globalfiler NGS STR panels for the ion S5 system

Systematic evaluation of the early access applied biosystems precision ID Globalfiler mixture ID and Globalfiler NGS STR panels for the ion S5 system

NGS-based likelihood ratio for identifying contributors in two- and three-person DNA mixtures

DNA fingerprinting, also known as DNA profiling, serves as a standard procedure in forensics to identify a person by the short tandem repeat (STR) loci in their DNA. By comparing the STR loci between DNA samples, practitioners can calculate a probability of match to identity the contributors of a DNA mixture. Most existing methods are based on 13 core STR loci which were identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Analyses based on these loci of DNA mixture for forensic purposes are highly variable in procedures, and suffer from subjectivity as well as bias in complex mixture interpretation. With the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, the sequencing of billions of DNA molecules can be parallelized, thus greatly increasing throughput and reducing the associated costs. This allows the creation of new techniques that incorporate more loci to enable complex mixture interpretation. In this paper, we propose a computation for likelihood ratio that uses NGS (next generation sequencing) data for DNA testing on mixed samples. We have applied the method to 4480 simulated DNA mixtures, which consist of various mixture proportions of 8 unrelated whole-genome sequencing data. The results confirm the feasibility of utilizing NGS data in DNA mixture interpretations. We observed an average likelihood ratio as high as 285,978 for two-person mixtures. Using our method, all 224 identity tests for two-person mixtures and three-person mixtures were correctly identified.

Population data on the expanded CODIS core STR loci for eleven populations of significance for forensic DNA analyses in the United States

Allele distributions for twenty-three autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci – D1S1656, D2S441, D2S1338, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D10S1248, D12S391, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, D22S1045, CSF1PO, FGA, Penta D, Penta E, SE33, TH01, TPOX and vWA – were determined in Caucasians, Southwestern Hispanics, Southeastern Hispanics, African Americans, Bahamians, Jamaicans, Trinidadians, Chamorros, Filipinos, Apaches, and Navajos. The data are included in the FBI PopStats software for calculating statistical estimates of DNA typing results and cover the expanded CODIS Core STR Loci required of U.S. laboratories that participate in the National DNA Index System (NDIS).

Population genetic data of the AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® Plus and PowerPlex® 16 HS STR loci in four Canadian populations

Allele frequencies and forensically relevant population statistics were estimated for the short tandem repeat (STR) loci of the AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® Plus and PowerPlex® 16 HS amplification kits, including D2S1338, D19S433, Penta D, and Penta E, for three First Nations Aboriginal populations and for Caucasians in Canada. The cumulative power of discrimination was ≥ 0.999999999999984 and the cumulative power of exclusion was ≥ 0.999929363 for both amplification systems in all populations. No significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was detected for D2S1338, D19S433, Penta D, and Penta E or the 13 Combined DNA Index System core STR loci after correction for multiple testing. Significant genetic diversity was observed between these four populations. Comparison with published frequency data for other populations is also presented.

Assessment of application value of 19 autosomal short tandem repeat loci of GoldenEyeTM 20A kit in forensic paternity testing

This study was carried out to assess the application value of 19 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci of GoldenEye 20A kit, in which 13 combined DNA index system core STR loci and PentaE, PentaD, D2S1338, D19S433, D12S391, and D6S1043 of six STR loci could be used in forensic paternity testing in Chinese population. We amplified the genomic DNA from blood samples on FTA paper of 289 paternity testing cases by using the GoldenEye 20A kit. The amplified products were detected by capillary electrophoresis, and then the genotypes of 20 genetic markers including 19 STR loci as well as Amelogenin for sex determination were analyzed by GeneMapper v3.2 and GeneMarker HID Software. The results of genotypes were compared to the three commonly used commercial kits including AmpFℓSTR Identifiler, PowerPlex16, and AmpFℓSTR Sinofiler kits. Compared to the three other common commercial kits, the GoldenEye 20A kit had higher value of combined paternity index in certainty of paternity or non-exclusion paternity cases, and more numbers of STR loci were excluded in exclusionary paternity cases. Our data in this study showed that the GoldenEye 20A kit has a higher application value in forensic paternity testing and will be of help for kinship analysis.

Match criteria for human cell line authentication: Where do we draw the line?

Continuous human cell lines have been used extensively as models for biomedical research. In working with these cell lines, researchers are often unaware of the risk of cross-contamination and other causes of misidentification. To reduce this risk, there is a pressing need to authenticate cell lines, comparing the sample handled in the laboratory to a previously tested sample. The American Type Culture Collection Standards Development Organization Workgroup ASN-0002 has developed a Standard for human cell line authentication, recommending short tandem repeat (STR) profiling for authentication of human cell lines. However, there are known limitations to the technique when applied to cultured samples, including possible genetic drift with passage. In our study, a dataset of 2,279 STR profiles from four cell banks was used to assess the effectiveness of the match criteria recommended within the Standard. Of these 2,279 STR profiles, 1,157 were grouped into sets of related cell lines-duplicate holdings, legitimately related samples or misidentified cell lines. Eight core STR loci plus amelogenin were used to unequivocally authenticate 98% of these related sets. Two simple match algorithms each clearly discriminated between related and unrelated samples, with separation between related samples at ≥80% match and unrelated samples at <50% match. A small degree of overlap was noted at 50-79% match, mostly from cell lines known to display variable STR profiles. These match criteria are recommended as a simple and effective way to interpret results from STR profiling of human cell lines.

Development of a genotyping assay for the UK, European, and CODIS core STR loci identifying length and sequence variation in the target loci

We have developed a highly automated assay covering twenty one markers spanning the UK, European, and CODIS core short tandem repeat (STR) loci. In this assay, sample DNA is amplified with an 8-well PCR panel, and the masses of the PCR products are determined on an electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry platform. The mass measurements are accurate enough to assign a base composition to the PCR products, specifying the number of their constituent dA, dG, dC, and dT residues. The base compositions in turn define the STR genotypes. Sequence variants have been observed in many of the STR loci, and the accuracy of the mass measurements supports their identification with this assay. Parameters in the initial evaluation of the assay included species specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy, and concordance. Results indicate that the assay is concordant with existing assays while providing additional information by virtue of the detection of sequence variants of STR alleles.

High-Throughput Sequencing of Core STR Loci for Forensic Genetic Investigations using the Roche Genome Sequencer FLX Platform

The analysis and profiling of short tandem repeat (STR) loci is routinely used in forensic genetics. Current methods to investigate STR loci, including PCR-based standard fragment analyses and capillary electrophoresis, only provide amplicon lengths that are used to estimate the number of STR repeat units. These methods do not allow for the full resolution of STR base composition that sequencing approaches could provide. Here we present an STR profiling method based on the use of the Roche Genome Sequencer (GS) FLX to simultaneously sequence multiple core STR loci. Using this method in combination with a bioinformatic tool designed specifically to analyze sequence lengths and frequencies, we found that GS FLX STR sequence data are comparable to conventional capillary electrophoresis-based STR typing. Furthermore, we found DNA base substitutions and repeat sequence variations that would not have been identified using conventional STR typing.

Population data on 10 non-CODIS STR loci in Japanese population using a newly developed multiplex PCR system

This paper describes a newly devised autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems for 10 loci (D1S1656, D2S1353, D8S1132, D12S1090, D14S608, D18S535, D19S253, D20S480, D21S226, and D22S689) unlinked to the core STR loci (non-CODIS loci). Of 252 samples taken from the Japanese population, PCR products ranged in length from 107 bp to 319 bp. No significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were observed at any of the 10 loci. The accumulated power of discrimination and power of exclusion for the 10 loci were 0.999999999998 and 0.99991, respectively. We conclude that the present multiplex system for the 10 non-CODIS loci represents a powerful tool for forensic applications.

Real-time forensic DNA analysis at a crime scene using a portable microchip analyzer

An integrated lab-on-a-chip system has been developed and successfully utilized for real-time forensic short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. The microdevice comprises a 160-nL polymerase chain reaction reactor with an on-chip heater and a temperature sensor for thermal cycling, microvalves for fluidic manipulation, a co-injector for sizing standard injection, and a 7-cm-long separation channel for capillary electrophoretic analysis. A 9-plex autosomal STR typing system consisting of amelogenin and eight combined DNA index system (CODIS) core STR loci has been constructed and optimized for this real-time human identification study. Reproducible STR profiles of control DNA samples are obtained in 2 h and 30 min with ≤0.8 bp allele typing accuracy. The minimal amount of DNA required for a complete DNA profile is 100 copies. To critically evaluate the capabilities of our portable microsystem as well as its compatibility with crime scene investigation processes, real-time STR analyses were carried out at a mock crime scene prepared by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO). Blood stain sample collection, DNA extraction, and STR analyses on the portable microsystem were conducted in the field, and a successful “mock” CODIS hit was generated on the suspect's sample within 6 h. This demonstration of on-site STR analysis establishes the feasibility of real-time DNA typing to identify the contributor of probative biological evidence at a crime scene and for real-time human identification.

AOTF-based multicolor fluorescence detection for short tandem repeat (STR) analysis in an electrophoretic microdevice

An acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) has been used to perform multicolor fluorescence detection for four and five-color short tandem repeat (STR) analysis on glass microchips. Matrix files were initially generated by collecting and comparing the laser-induced fluorescence emission of the labels specific to a particular STR kit, and raw data was processed to remove spectral overlap. The AmpFlSTR kits used in this work include Profiler Plus and COfiler, which are four-color kits used in tandem to address the core STR loci, as well as the five-color Identifiler kit, which contains each of the loci. In contrast to previous reports on multicolor detection for STR analysis on microchips, this detection system is characterized by a single filter and detector, and reports the first five-color genotyping application on-chip. This capability matches the portability and reduced scale of the microchip with the state-of-the-art in multicolor STR analysis kits.

Polymorphisms at fifteen tetrameric short tandem repeat loci in three ethnic populations of Bengal, India

The study presents allele frequency data at 15 tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D3S1358, THO1, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, D2S1338, D19S433 and FGA) in three ethnic populations—Mahishya, Bauri and Namasudra of Bengal to evaluate their utility in Forensic testing and understanding population structure and dynamics. A total of 169 individuals were studied from the selected populations. On an average the combined power of discrimination and power of exclusion in these groups was found 0.97 and 0.99, respectively. The allele distribution pattern shows possible genetic admixture between these ethnic groups which could be attributed to their close geographical proximity and occupying almost similar position in the social hierarchy. This study suggests that the 13 Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) [Budowle B, Moretti TR, Baumstark AL, Defenbaugh DA, Keys KM. Population data on the thirteen CODIS core short tandem repeat loci in African American, US Caucasians, Hispanics, Bahamians, Jamaicans and Trinidadians. J Forensic Sci 1999;44:1277–86] markers and two added markers named D2S1338, D19S433 are highly informative and therefore suitable in matching biological specimen in human identification and population genetic study.

Genetics and Genomics of Core Short Tandem Repeat Loci Used in Human Identity Testing

Over the past decade, the human identity testing community has settled on a set of core short tandem repeat (STR) loci that are widely used for DNA typing applications. A variety of commercial kits enable robust amplification of these core STR loci. A brief history is presented regarding the selection of core autosomal and Y-chromosomal STR markers. The physical location of each STR locus in the human genome is delineated and allele ranges and variants observed in human populations are summarized as are mutation rates observed from parentage testing. Internet resources for additional information on core STR loci are reviewed. Additional topics are also discussed, including potential linkage of STR loci to genetic disease-causing genes, probabilistic predictions of sample ethnicity, and desirable characteristics for additional STR loci that may be added in the future to the current core loci. These core STR loci, which form the basis for DNA databases worldwide, will continue to play an important role in forensic science for many years to come.

Allele distributions and genetic relationship with 13 CODIS core STR loci in various Asian populations in or near Japan

We calculated allele frequencies for 13 Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) core short tandem repeat (STR) loci using each more than 100 DNA samples in two Japanese, six Chinese, one Korean, one Thai and one Burmese populations. We analyzed these allele frequency distributions by genetic distance D A to construct a tree based on the neighbor-joining method, and obtained one that is well coincident with their geographical distributions. We also present a genetic relationship including the published ethnic data in the world.

Population variation at the CODIS core short tandem repeat loci in Europeans

Substantial STR population data exist to estimate F ST (or θ) values across Europeans. Eleven populations across Europe were analyzed, and the estimate over all 13 CODIS core STR loci is 0.0028. This value is much less than the conservative estimate of 0.01 advocated by the second National Research Council Report in 1996. Because of the low value for θ , whether independence is assumed or an adjustment for substructure is employed, there is little practical consequence for forensic purposes for estimating the frequency of a multiple locus DNA profile. If θ is used, a value of 0.01 is very conservative for Europeans. The same STR population data can be used for evolutionary studies on Europeans, and the calculated genetic distances are consistent with the ethnohistory of the populations.

Detection of Deviation from Genetic Equilibrium—A Commentary on Budowle B, Moretti TR, Baumstark AL, Defenbaugh DA, Keys KM. Population Data on the Thirteen CODIS Core Short Tandem Repeat Loci in African Americans, US Caucasians, Hispanics, Jamaicans, and Trinidadians. J Forensic Sci 1999;44:1277–86

Abstract Detection of Deviation from Genetic Equilibrium—A Commentary on Budowle B, Moretti TR, Baumstark AL, Defenbaugh DA, Keys KM. Population Data on the Thirteen CODIS Core Short Tandem Repeat Loci in African Americans, US Caucasians, Hispanics, Jamaicans, and Trinidadians. J Forensic Sci 1999;44:1277–86

Population Data on the Thirteen CODIS Core Short Tandem Repeat Loci in African Americans, U.S. Caucasians, Hispanics, Bahamians, Jamaicans, and Trinidadians

Allele distributions for 13 tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) loci, CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, VWA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, and D21S11, were determined in African American, United States Caucasian, Hispanic, Bahamian, Jamaican, and Trinidadian sample populations. There was little evidence for departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (HWE) in any of the populations. Based on the exact test, the loci that departed significantly from HWE are: D21S11 (p = 0.010, Bahamians); CSF1PO (p = 0.014, Trinidadians); TPOX (p = 0.011, Jamaicans and p = 0.035, U.S. Caucasians); and D16S539 (p = 0.043, Bahamians). After employing the Bonferroni correction for the number of loci analyzed (i.e., 13 loci per database), these observations are not likely to be significant. There is little evidence for association of alleles between the loci in these databases. The allelic frequency data are similar to other comparable data within the same major population group.