Allele frequencies of 15 STRs loci in an Argentine population sample

Abstract It is well known that the use of STR (Short Tandem Repeats) for forensic purposes requires the existence of databases that reflect the allele distribution in the population they will be applied. During the last years we have received a greater affluence of samples from different regions of Argentina, instead of receiving almost only from Buenos Aires city, as we did six years ago. Because of this change in the population we are working with, our aim is to study the distribution of allele frequencies for 15 STR loci and calculate the statistical parameters of forensic interest, in a sample provenient from different regions of Argentina. A total of 375 unrelated individuals from different provinces in Argentina, were included for the analysis. DNA was obtained from blood samples with salting out Miller's method, and AmpFlSTR ® Identifiler was applied. Capillary electrophoresis of the amplification products were performed on an ABI PRISM ® 3100 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems). The 3100 Data Collection Software–v1.0.1 (Applied Biosystems) and GeneScan–v3.7 (Applied Biosystems) and Genotyper Software-v3.7 (Applied Biosystems) were used. Statistical analysis for allele frequencies, power of discrimination and power of exclusion were calculated using PowerStats software. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, observed and expected heterozygosity was calculated with Arlequin V3.1 software. All the loci studied were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and statistical parameters calculated were consistent with the bibliography. This database is a useful tool for routine forensic applications in our population.