IP: Dra. María de los Angeles Martínez de Pancorbo Gómez

Resumen del proyecto: In forensic genetics, reference population databases of microsatellite markers (STR) are essential in order to establish match probability and likelihood ratio in human genetic identification. Additionally, the creation of regional allele frequency databases is particularly important to allow an appropriate forensic investigation. The main objective of a database of this sort is to collect the alleles likely to be found in a population based on at least 200 samples of unrelated individuals and its efficiency is proportional to the number of individuals and populations included. Databases also allow the genetic characterization of the populations within a region in order to compare and correlate the local diversity measures.

The aim of this project is to determine allele frequencies, genetic diversity measures and population structure for X-linked and validate newly developed autosomal STR loci in the Spanish populations of Seville, Madrid and Barcelona. The results of this project will allow the establishment of a Spanish population database for X-linked STR markers as well as an improvement of autosomal STR databases and consequently, the precision of allele frequencies as well as validate existing databases used in forensic testing calculations.

In the case of Spain, the population database for X-linked STRs is represented solely by northern and south eastern populations, leaving some of the main metropolitan areas -such as Seville, Madrid and Barcelona- without representation. The application of X-linked STRs has been relevant to the resolution of complex paternity cases in which the results offer complementary information to the data obtained from autosomal STRs. Additionally, the validation of recently developed autosomal STR markers offers the possibility to increase the power of discrimination of current human genetic identification.

Entidad financiadora: Red Vasca de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación