The U.S. Department of Justice has established a database that catalogs PCR amplification products from short tandem repeats of the Y (Y-STRs) chromosome in humans. The database contains polymorphisms of five U.S. ethnic groups (African Americans, European Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans) as well as worldwide population.
(a) Given that STRs are repeats of varying lengths, for example (TCTG)9–17 or (TAT)6–14, explain how PCR could reveal differences (polymorphisms) among individuals. How could the Department of Justice make use of those differences?
(b) Y-STRs from the nonrecombining region of the Y chromosome (NRY) have special relevance for forensic purposes. Why?
(c) What would be the value of knowing the ethnic population differences for Y-STR polymorphisms?
(d) For forensic applications, the probability of a “match” for a crime scene DNA sample and a suspect’s DNA often culminates in a guilty or innocent verdict. How is a “match” determined, and what are the uses and limitations of such probabilities?
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