A Comparison Among Three Multiplex Y-STR Profiling Kits for Sexual Assault Cases

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Biological evidence from sexual assault cases presents significant analytical challenges in forensic laboratories.
• Y-STR (Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeat) markers are crucial for analyzing male DNA in complex forensic samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the amplification performance and sensitivity of three commercial Y-STR kits using casework samples.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of Y-STR kits in scenarios with limited male DNA input.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 247 trace forensic samples using three Y-STR kits: Yfiler® Plus, PowerPlex® Y23, and AmpFLSTR® Yfiler™.
• Comparative assessment of kit sensitivity, particularly for samples containing less than 0.5 ng of male DNA.

Main Results:

• The Yfiler® Plus and PowerPlex® Y23 kits demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity than the AmpFLSTR® Yfiler™ kit (p < 0.001).
• The PowerPlex® Y23 kit exhibited the highest sensitivity for samples with male DNA quantities below 0.5 ng, followed closely by the Yfiler® Plus kit (p = 0.009).

Conclusions:

• The Yfiler® Plus and PowerPlex® Y23 kits are effective and sensitive alternatives for analyzing forensic samples with low amounts of male DNA.
• These advanced Y-STR kits offer improved performance for challenging casework, enhancing forensic DNA analysis capabilities.