Y-Chromosome STRs

Y-chromosome STRs are demonstrating value in the forensic identification of male DNA from sexual assault cases. Other applications for Y-STRs include tracing paternal lineages to aid in missing persons investigations and historical studies and to help link families through genetic genealogy.

General Information

Y STR Positions along Chromosome
Y Chromosome STR Fact Sheets (updated 1/08/2009)
Y Chromosome STR References
SRM 2395 (Human Y-Chromosome DNA Profiling Standard Reference Material)
Review article on Y-STRs and Y-SNPs: Butler, J.M. (2003) Forensic Sci. Rev. 15(2): 91-111.
State of the Y-Chromosome for Human Identity Testing: John Butler talk at Canadian Forensic DNA Technology Workshop (June 8, 2005)
Y-STR Nomenclature Explanations; see DNA Commission of the ISFG recommendations
- Butler, J.M., Kline, M.C., Decker, A.E. (2008) Addressing Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) allele nomenclature. Journal of Genetic Genealogy 4(2): 125-148.--see also editorial: http://www.jogg.info/42/files/editorial.pdf and interview: http://www.jogg.info/42/files/Interview.pdf
Y-GATA-H4 nomenclature differences
Y-STR Variant Alleles; see also http://www.yhrd.org/index.html (under Mutation section)

Commercial Y-STR Kits

PowerPlex^® Y (Promega Corporation)
AmpFlSTR^® Yfiler™ (Applied Biosystems)
DYSplex 1, DYSplex2 (Serac, Bad Homburg, Germany)
Mentype^® Argus Y-MH (Biotype, Dresden, Germany)

Haplotype Databases

YHRD 3.0 Y Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database: http://www.yhrd.org
- Release 58 of the YHRD is active (2018/09/09)
- 7 loci haplotype (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393): 255,811 haplotypes

U.S. Consolidated Y-STR Database (32,972 haplotypes with 11 loci): http://www.usystrdatabase.org/
- 11 loci haplotype (DYS19, DYS385a/b, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS438, DYS439): 32,972 haplotypes
- 12 loci haplotype (+DYS437): 29,904
- 17 loci haplotype (+ DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, YGATAH4): 23,169
- 23 loci haplotype (+DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, DYS643): 4,837

Yfiler Haplotype Database (11,393 haplotypes with 17 loci): http://www.appliedbiosystems.com/yfilerdatabase/
Genetic Genealogy: FamilyTree DNA Y Search (137,512 records with 12, 25, 37, or 67 loci): http://www.ysearch.org/
Genetic Genealogy: Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (>30,000 haplotypes with >34 loci): http://www.smgf.org

Y Chromosome Links

Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database: http://www.yhrd.org/index.html
Department of Human Genetics at the Leiden University: http://www.humgen.nl/fldo/
The Y Chromosome Consortium: http://ycc.biosci.arizona.edu/
Genetic Genealogy: Family Tree DNA: http://www.familytreedna.com
Genetic Genealogy: DNA Testing by Ancestry.com: http://dna.ancestry.com
Genetic Genealogy: Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation: http://www.smgf.org
Genetic Genealogy: Oxford Ancestors: http://www.oxfordancestors.com/
Genetic Genealogy: African Ancestry: http://www.africanancestry.com/
Genetic Genealogy: GeneTree DNA Testing Center: http://www.genetree.com/
Genetic Genealogy: Scotland's DNA: http://www.scotlandsdna.com
Genetic Genealogy: GeoGene: http://www.geogene.com
National Genographic Project: https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/
International Society of Genetic Genealogy Y-DNA Testing Comparison Chart: http://www.isogg.org/ydnachart.htm

NIST Human Identity Project Team Y-Chromosome Work

NIST Y STR 20plex Information
SRM 2395 (Human Y-Chromosome DNA Profiling Standard Reference Material)

Some of our presentations on Y-chromosome work at NIST (see http://www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/strbase/NISTpub.htm for full listing)

California Department of Justice DNA Lab Seminar (March 7, 2007; Richmond, CA)
NEAFS Y-Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA Workshop (November 1, 2006; Rye Brook, NY)
AAFS Workshop: Y-STRs and mtDNA (February 20, 2006; Seattle, WA)
State of the Y-Chromosome (June 8, 2005; Toronto, Canada)
International Y-Users Group IV (November 20, 2004; Berlin, Germany)
AAFS 2004 Y Chromosome Workshop (February 17, 2004; Dallas, TX)
ISFG 2003 talk on Y-SNPs and poster on DYS464 (September 12, 2003; Archacon, France)
International Y-Users Group III (November 7, 2002; Porto, Portugal)
AAFS 2002 Y Chromosome Workshop presentation (February 12, 2002; Atlanta, GA)
ISFG 2001 Talk (August 30, 2001; Munster, Germany)
Cambridge Healthtech Institute's DNA Forensics meeting (June 1, 2000; Springfield, VA) Download PowerPoint (40 slides)

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Last Updated: 04/10/2014