Allele frequencies of 24 STR autosomal markers in Argentina

The study aimed to analyze allele frequencies of 24 short tandem repeats (STR) loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, VWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, FGA, PENTA E, PENTA D, D1S1656, D6S1043, D12S391, D22S1045, D2S441, SE33 and D10S1248) in an admixed population from Argentina to establish forensic parameters for individual identification and kinship testing. The rationale was to provide population-specific genetic data to support forensic casework across Argentinean provinces (except Tierra del Fuego).

Allele frequencies were calculated from 1000 unrelated individuals processed between 2018 and 2021. Forensic parameters - Gene Diversity (GD), observed/expected heterozygosity (H_o/H_e), Polymorphism Information Content (PIC), Random Match Probability (RPM), Power of Discrimination (PD), Power of Exclusion (PE), and Typical Paternity Index (TPI) were obtained using the Familias and Arlequin software. All genetic markers were in line with Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium with the SE33 marker showing the highest variability (PIC_SE33= 0.939) and the TPOX/ D22S1045 the lowest (PIC _TPOX= 0.618; PIC_D22S1045= 0.610). Results ranged as follows: H_o (0.664-0.937); H_e (0.667-0.943); PIC (0.610-0.939); PE (0.375-0.871); PD (0.833-0.994); TPI (14.88-793.65).

The study provides reliable allele frequencies for forensic applications in Argentina, enhancing individual identification and kinship analysis. The findings contribute valuable insights into the genetic diversity of the Argentinean population, supporting their use in forensic investigations nationwide.