Supplementary markers for deficient immigration cases: Additional STRs or SNPs?

Abstract Analysis with commonly available STR kits can sometimes fail to produce sufficient information in immigration cases containing only one parent. In these cases, not only does paternity/maternity need to be assured, but also other possible relationships dismissed (e.g. avuncular relationships). We have taken more than 50 of these cases and investigated which type of additional marker produces the greatest benefits: 48 SNPs or 6 additional informative STRs (including 5 additional markers from the new European extended set). The results of this analysis show the SNPs to be of greater value.