- Course Introduction
- 01: Evidence & DNA
- 02: Forensic Biology
- 03: DNA Extraction & Quantitation
- 04: DNA Amplification
- 05: Amplified DNA Product Separation
- 06: STR Data Analysis & Interpretation
- 07: Population Genetics & Statistics
- 08: Communicating Results
- 09: Other DNA Markers & Technologies
- Course Resources
- Laboratory Training Manual
President's DNA Initiative
-
Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology
-
Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology
DNA Analyst Training
Y-STRs in Forensics
Home > Other DNA Markers & Technologies > Other Nuclear DNA Markers and Technologies > Y-STRs > Y-STRs in Forensics
Y-chromosome specific systems may prove invaluable for the identification of the genetic profile of the male component in mixed male/female specimens, specifically in those instances in which the female portion is present in overwhelming quantities, relative to the male.
Other instances where Y-STRs may be useful are:
- Deposition of semen by an azoospermic or oligospermic males
- Cases of oral sodomy where only trace amounts of male buccal epithelial cells may be present
- Normal post-coital degradative and semen sample loss processes that occur with the passage of time
- Determination of the presence of the number of semen donors in cases of multiple perpetrator rape
- Criminal paternity analysis
- Disaster victim identification and/or missing person (male individual identified by typing a male relative such as a son, brother, father, nephew, or uncle)
In addition, the ability to specifically detect a male profile could obviate the need for the time-consuming and frequently inefficient differential extraction procedure for the separation of sperm and non-sperm fractions. Male specific systems may also aid in the investigation of cases involving mixtures or degraded DNA specimens (displaying partial autosomal STR profiles) by providing additional statistical discriminating power.
