Forensic and Population genetics questions and answers

841 views · Published 13 September 2015 · 13:07 · Indexed 10 November 2026

Channel: Nikolay's Genetics Lessons · 2015 · Education

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What are the 13 core CODIS loci?

A National DNA Databank

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the US has been a leader in developing DNA typing technology for use in the identification of perpetrators of violent crime. In 1997, the FBI announced the selection of 13 STR loci to constitute the core of the United States national database, CODIS. All CODIS STRs are tetrameric repeat sequences. All forensic laboratories that use the CODIS system can contribute to a national database. DNA analysts like Bob Blackett can also attempt to match the DNA profile of crime scene evidence to DNA profiles already in the database.

There are many advantages to the CODIS STR system:

The CODIS system has been widely adopted by forensic DNA analysts
STR alleles can be rapidly determined using commercially available kits.
STR alleles are discrete, and behave according to known principles of population genetics
The data are digital, and therefore ideally suited for computer databases
Laboratories worldwide are contributing to the analysis of STR allele frequency in different human populations
STR profiles can be determined with very small amounts of DNA
A DNA Profile: The 13 CODIS STR loci

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