Forensic Autosomal Short Tandem Repeats and Their Potential Association With Phenotype

摘要: Forensic DNA profiling utilizes autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers to establish identity of missing persons, confirm familial relations, and link persons interest crime scenes. It is a widely accepted notion that genetic used in forensic applications are not predictive phenotype. At present, there has been no demonstration STR variants directly causing or predicting disease. Such would have many legal ethical implications. For example, duty inform donor if medical condition discovered during routine analysis their sample? In this review, we evaluate the possibility STRs could provide information beyond mere identity. An extensive search literature returned 107 articles associating with trait. A total 57 these studies met our inclusion criteria: reported between STR-inclusive gene phenotype statistical reporting p-value less than 0.05. 50 unique traits were associated 24 included studies. TH01 had greatest number associations 27 reportedly linked 40 different genotypes. Five schizophrenia. None found independently causative Regardless, likelihood identifying significant increasing as function non-coding expression steadily revealed. recommended regular reviews take place order remain aware future identify functional role for any STRs.