title: Variation in short tandem repeat sequences--a survey of twelve microsatellite loci for use as forensic identification markers.
abstract: Alleles at 12 Short Tandem Repeat loci have been sequenced to investigate candidate loci for a multiplex Short Tandem Repeat system for forensic identification, and for single-locus amplification of Short Tandem Repeat loci. Variation from the consensus sequence was found at 6 loci, while one locus, D21S11, was found to be complex in sequence. The presence of non-consensus alleles does not rule out loci for inclusion as forensic identification markers, but size differences between alleles of 1 base pair require very precise sizing. We suggest criteria for the suitability of Short Tandem Repeat loci as forensic identification markers, and propose a universal allele nomenclature for simple and compound Short Tandem Repeats. The effect of the repeat unit sequence of the evolution of Short Tandem Repeats is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Central Research and Support Establishment, Forensic Science Service, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urquhart
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Kimpton
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000235:genetics*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D004276:DNA, Satellite; D005819:Genetic Markers