U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Analysis of Non-Suspect Samples Lacking Visually Identifiable Sperm Using a Y-STR 10-Plex

NCJ Number
211285
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 50 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 1116-1118
Author(s)
Cassie L. Johnson M.S.; Robert C. Giles Ph.D.; Joseph H. Warren B.A.; Judith I. Floyd B.S.; Rick W. Staub Ph.D.
Date Published
September 2005
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effectiveness of Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) where there was absence of visually identifiable sperm in non-suspect samples.
Abstract
Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) are important in forensic testing because of their ability to genetically identify the male component of a sample. More specifically, they are valuable in the investigation of sexual assaults in which autosomal STR genotype interpretation is challenging. In sexual assault samples, the amount of female DNA overwhelms the quantity of male DNA present. So, the true genotype of the male suspect can be masked by the female victim’s profile, making interpretation difficult. Utilizing the Y-STR 10 plex, this study examined and determined the effectiveness of Y-chromosome STRs in profiling male DNA from non-suspect sexual assault samples lacking visually identifiable spermatozoa. To determine male DNA from compromised sexual assault evidence, 45 non-suspect samples were differentially extracted and analyzed. The study indicates that it is possible to obtain a male STR profile even in the absence of visually identifiable spermatozoa and that Y-STR loci should become components of CODIS to be used in solving non-suspect sexual assaults. Table, references