NCJ Number
245534
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 9 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 61-65
Date Published
March 2014
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study establishes the first proposal of nomenclature based on the sequencing of different alleles for 15 of the most commonly used cannabis short tandem repeats (STRs), for which a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method has already been proposed.
Abstract
The study provides a strong basis for further work on the validation and standardization of a method for cannabis individualization that could offer new possibilities in the investigation of illegal trafficking. Of the 15 STR loci described, 10 are trinucleotides, 3 dinucleotides, 1 pentanucleotide (A501), and 1 hexanucleotide (CS1). There are no tetranucleotides, which are the recommended STRs in forensics. Although the tri-, penta-, and hexanucleotide STR loci show a good operation in fragment analysis, the future finding of new tetranucleotide cannabis STRs would be welcome. In future studies, it will be necessary to analyze these STR loci in different populations and in related plants. This will provide the basis for establishing frequency databases and mutation rates for a comprehensive application of these STR loci with forensic purposes. It would also be helpful to sequence the primer binding sites of all these STR loci, especially the ones showing a high frequency of SNPs in the flanking region. 21 references