Y-chromosomal haplotyping of single sperm cells isolated from semen mixtures - a successful identification of three perpetrators in a multi-suspect sexual assault case

Croat Med J. 2014 Oct;55(5):537-41. doi: 10.3325/cmj.2014.55.537.

Abstract

To obtain individual Y-short tandem repeat (STR) profiles in a multi-suspect sexual assault case. Methods. We used laser cut microdissection to capture the single sperm cell in the multi-contributor semen sample, combined with the low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR) method to genotype the single sperm cell profiles using the Yfiler(®) kit. Consensus DNA profiles were generated from 5 replicate experiments. Results. Ninety-four parallel LV-PCRs were performed and 41 reactions (44%) produced Y-STR profiles with more than nine loci. Three individual Y-STR profiles were successfully obtained. Conclusion. The three Y haplotype units matched three known perpetrators' genotypes. Our results showed that single sperm cells Y-STR analysis was a powerful method for analyzing multi-donor semen mixture sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Human, Y / genetics*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Fingerprinting / methods
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Rape*
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*
  • Vaginal Smears

Substances

  • DNA