Abstract (EN):
Because of their sensitivity and high level of discrimination, short tandem repeat (STR) maker systems are currently the method of choice in routine forensic casework and data banking, usually in multiplexes up to
15–17 loci. Constraints related to sample amount and quality, frequently encountered in forensic casework, willnot allow to change this picture in the near future, notwithstanding the technological developments. In this
study, we present a free online calculator named PopAffiliator (http://cracs.fc.up.pt/popaffiliator) for individual population affiliation in the three main population groups, Eurasian, East Asian and sub-Saharan African, based ongenotype profiles for the common set of STRs used in
forensics. This calculator performs affiliation based on a
model constructed using machine learning techniques. The
model was constructed using a data set of approximately
fifteen thousand individuals collected for this work. The
accuracy of individual population affiliation is approximately
86%, showing that the common set of STRs routinely used in forensics provide a considerable amount of information for population assignment, in addition to being excellent for individual identification.
Language:
English
Type (Professor's evaluation):
Scientific
Contact:
Rui Camacho