Population genetic study of four short tandem repeat loci in the Belgian population, using capillary electrophoresis

Allele frequencies of four short tandem repeat loci (HumCD4, HumTH01, HumD21S11 and HumSE33) were investigated in a sample of 395 unrelated Belgian individuals using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis. Automated laser fluorescence was used to detect four fluorescent dyes, enabling the use of an internal standard within each lane. With this method rapid typing with high resolution was obtained and the different alleles were grouped on a statistical base. All loci meet Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The allelic frequency data, together with the constructed allelic ladder, can be used in paternity testing and personal identification in the medical and forensic sciences.