Human Y-specific STR haplotypes in the Western Croatian population sample

Area of Science:

• Forensic genetics
• Population genetics
• Human genetics

Background:

• Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeats (Y-STRs) are valuable genetic markers for population studies and forensic applications.
• Understanding Y-STR diversity in specific populations is crucial for accurate forensic identification and tracing paternal lineage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the genetic variation of nine Y-STR loci in a Croatian male population.
• To establish a Y-STR haplotype database for Croatian males and assess its utility in forensic investigations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of nine Y-chromosome STR loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385, and YCAII).
• Genotyping of 101 unrelated males from Croatia.
• Calculation of allelic frequencies, gene diversities, and haplotype diversity.

Main Results:

• A total of 91 distinct Y-STR haplotypes were identified among the 101 individuals.
• 84 out of 91 haplotypes were unique to individuals within the sample.
• The three most common haplotypes were found in 3% of the sample, with one not present in the online Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database.

Conclusions:

• The analyzed Y-STR loci exhibit high discriminatory power in the Croatian male population.
• The established haplotype data contributes to the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database and aids in forensic casework involving Croatian individuals.
• The presence of a novel haplotype underscores the importance of population-specific Y-STR data.