Genetic parameters and allele frequencies of five new European Standard Set STR loci (D10S1248, D22S1045, D2S441, D1S1656, D12S391) in the population of Romania.

Aim: To establish allele frequencies and genetic parameters for 5 new European Standard Set short tandem repeat (STR) loci in the population of Romania and to compare them with those in other populations.

Methods: DNA was isolated using QIAamp 96 DNA Swab BioRobot Kit and Chelex 100 methods. Polymerase chain reaction amplification was done using Investigator ESSplexPlus Kit (D1S1656, D2S441, D2S1338, D3S1358, D8S1179, D10S1248, D12S391, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, D22S1045, FGA, TH01, and vWA). For DNA typing, Applied Biosystems 3500/3500xL Genetic Analyzer was used. Statistical analysis was done using Powerstats, GDA, and Arlequin software.

Results: Power of discrimination and polymorphism information content was highest for two new ESS loci, D1S1656 and D12S391. Comparison of allele frequencies for 5 new ESS loci in Romanian population with previously published population data showed significant differences for all compared populations, with the exception of Hungary. Geographically more distant populations, such as Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany, and Portugal differed more than closer populations.

Conclusion: New ESS STR loci are very useful for the analysis of forensic samples (persons or traces) due to their characteristics (shortness and high polymorphism). In comparisons with other common STR markers, they have a higher power of discrimination and also higher polymorphism information content, and could be used in any national DNA database.