The validation study of a novel assay with 30 slow and moderate mutation Y-STR markers for criminal investigation and database applications.

The Y chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) haplotyping method has been widely used in forensic applications. However, the existing Y-STR panels are not the ideal tools for criminal investigation and database applications because of their relatively low discriminatory capacity (DC) or high mutation rates. In the present study, the multiplex PCR assay (AGCU Y30) for simultaneous amplification of 30 slowly and moderately mutated Y-STR loci labeled by 6-dye fluorescence was developed and validated. The AGCU Y30 assay was capable of amplification purified DNA from casework and database samples on FTA™ cards in direct amplification module with a 10 μL reaction volume. Furthermore, the genetic diversities and forensic parameters of AGCU Y30 were performed using 719 unrelated male samples, demonstrating its high level of genetic polymorphisms and DC in Nantong Han population. This validation study demonstrated good sensitivity, mixture samples, inhibitor tolerance, precision, and concordance for the AGCU Y30, which is suitable for forensic investigation and database construction.