The Y chromosome DNA testing enables examination of the male-specific portion of biological evidence. This capability can be especially important in situations where a small amount of male DNA may be recovered in the presence of excess female DNA, such as in sexual assault evidence. Y chromosome analysis can also benefit missing persons investigations as it extends the range of potential reference samples. Since fathers pass their Y chromosome onto their sons unchanged (except for an occasional mutation), all males in a paternal lineage will possess a common Y chromosome haplotype.

A core set of Y chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci have been selected for use in human identification applications. The core Y-STR loci were recommended by the SWGDAM Y chromosome subcommittee in 2003 and include the following: DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS438, DYS439, and the multi-copy locus DYS385 a/b. Commercial kits now exist that can co-amplify all of the core Y-STR loci in a single multiplex reaction. Several groups are also exploring additional Y-STR loci that have the potential to improve the power of discrimination for Y-STR testing.

From research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice

Current projects

Validation of Y chromosome STR (Y-STR) Multiplexes for Operational Use; National Y -STR Haplotype Reference Database; Development of Novel Y chromosome Markers for Operational Use; Development of a Speedy Rape Kit Screening Method
National Center for Forensic Science
Award Number: 2005-IJ-CX-K044

The Compilation and Management of a Comprehensive U.S. Y-STR Reference Database National Center for Forensic Science
Award number: 2005-IJ-CX-K044
Learn more about this project.

Recently Closed

Forensic Applications of Y-Chromosome STRs and SNPs
University of Arizona
Award Number: 2000-IJ-CX-K006
Final Report (pdf)

From research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice

Testing and evaluation of 43 "noncore" Y chromosome markers for forensic casework applications.
Hanson EK, Berdos PN, Ballantyne J.
J Forensic Sci. 2006 Nov;51(6):1298-314.
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number: 1998-IJ-CX-K003

Y-STR concordance study between Y-Plex5, Y-Plex6, Y-Plex12, PowerplexY, Y-Filer, MPI, and MPII.
Gross AM, Berdos P, Ballantyne J.
J Forensic Sci. 2006 Nov;51(6):1423-8.
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number: 1998-IJ-CX-K003

Genetic structure among 38 populations from the United States based on 11 U.S. core Y chromosome STRs.
Redd AJ, Chamberlain VF, Kearney VF, Stover D, Karafet T, Calderon K, Walsh B, Hammer MF.
J Forensic Sci. 2006 May;51(3):580-5.
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number 2000-IJ-CX-K006

Comprehensive annotated STR physical map of the human Y chromosome: Forensic implications
Hanson EK, Ballantyne J
Legal Medicine. 2006 Mar;8(2):110-20
Pub Med
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number: 1998-IJ-CX-K003
 
Allele frequencies for 27 Y-STR loci with U.S. Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic samples.
Butler JM, Decker AE, Vallone PM, Kline MC.
Forensic Sci Int. 2006 Jan 27;156(2-3):250-60.
Pub Med
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number: 2003-IJ-R-029
 
Locus-specific brackets for reliable typing of Y-chromosome short tandem repeat markers.
Butler JM, Appleby JE, Duewer DL.
Electrophoresis. 2005 Jun;26(13):2583-90.
Grant number: 2003-IJ-R-029 
 
DNA Commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG): an update of the recommendations on the use of Y-STRs in forensic analysis.
Gusmao L, Butler JM, Carracedo A, Gill P, Kayser M, Mayr WR, Morling N, Prinz M, Roewer L, Tyler-Smith C, Schneider PM.
Int J Legal Med. 2005 Aug 26;:1-10
Grant number: 2003-IJ-R-029
 
U.S. population data for the multi-copy Y-STR locus DYS464.
J Forensic Sci. 2005 Jul;50(4):975-7
Grant number: 2003-IJ-R-029
 
Chromosomal duplications along the Y-chromosome and their potential impact on Y-STR interpretation.
Butler JM, Decker AE, Kline MC, Vallone PM
J Forensic Sci. 2005 Jul;50(4):853-9.
Grant number: 2003-IJ-R-029
 
High-throughput Y-STR typing of U.S. populations with 27 regions of the Y chromosome using two multiplex PCR assays.
Schoske R, Vallone PM, Kline MC, Redman JW, Butler JM.
Forensic Sci Int. 2004 Jan 28;139(2-3):107-21.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-A09
 
A highly discriminating 21 locus Y-STR "megaplex" system designed to augment the minimal haplotype loci for forensic casework.
Hanson EK, Ballantyne J.
J Forensic Sci. 2004 Jan;49(1):40-51.
Grant Number: 1998-IJ-CX-K003
 
Duplication of DYS19 flanking regions in other parts of the Y chromosome.
Butler JM and Schoske R
Int J Legal Med. 2004 Jun;118(3):178-83.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-A094
 
Multiplexed assays for evaluation of Y-SNP markers in U.S. populations.
Vallone, P.M. and Butler, J.M.
Progress in Forensic Genetics 10, Elsevier Science: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, International Congress Series 2004; 1261, 85-87.
View in Adobe PDF from NIST
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-A094
 
Forensic value of the multi-copy Y-STR marker DYS464.
Butler, J.M. and Schoske, R.
Progress in Forensic Genetics 10, Elsevier Science: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, International Congress Series 2004; 1261, 278-280.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-A094
 
Y-SNP typing of U.S. African American and Caucasian samples using allele-specific hybridization and primer extension.
Vallone PM, Butler JM.
J Forensic Sci. 2004 Jul;49(4):723-32.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-094
 
SWGDAM developmental validation of a 19-locus Y-STR system for forensic casework.
Daniels DL, Hall AM, Ballantyne J.
J Forensic Sci. 2004 Jul;49(4):668-83.
Grant number: 1998-IJ-CX-K003
 
Novel Y-STR typing strategies reveal the genetic profile of the semen donor in extended interval post-coital cervicovaginal samples.
Hall A, Ballantyne J.
Forensic Sci Int. 2003 Sep 9;136(1-3):58-72
Grant number: 1998-IJ-CX-K003
 
The development of an 18-locus Y-STR system for forensic casework.
Hall A, Ballantyne J.
Anal Bioanal Chem. 2003 Aug;376(8):1234-46.
Grant number: 1998-IJ-CX-K003
 
Highly multiplexed assays for measuring polymorphisms on the Y-chromosome
Butler HM, Schoske R, Vallone PM
Progress in Forensic Genetics 9 (Brinkmann, B. and Carracedo, A., eds.), Elsevier Science: Amsterdamn, The Netherlands, International Congress Series 1239, pp. 301-305 2003
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-A094
 
Recent developments in Y-short tandem repeat and Y-single nucleotide polymorphism analysis
Butler JM
Forensic. Sci. Rev. 2003 15:91-111
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-A094
 
Multiplex PCR design strategy used for the simultaneous amplification of 10 Y chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) loci.
Schoske R, Vallone PM, Ruitberg CM, Butler JM.
Anal Bioanal Chem. 2003 Feb;375(3):333-43.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-R-A094
 
A novel multiplex for simultaneous amplification of 20 Y chromosome STR markers.
Butler JM, Schoske R, Vallone PM, Kline MC, Redd AJ, Hammer MF.
Forensic Sci Int. 2002 Sep 10;129(1):10-24.
Grant number: 2000-IJ-CX-K006
 
Forensic value of 14 novel STRs on the human Y chromosome.
Redd AJ, Agellon AB, Kearney VA, Contreras VA, Karafet T, Park H, de Knijff P, Butler JM, Hammer MF.
Forensic Sci Int. 2002 Dec 4;130(2-3):97-111.
Grant number: 2000-IJ-CX-K006