Short tandem repeats (STRs), also known as microsatellites, are the primary markers of forensic genetics for developing investigative leads in criminal cases and humanitarian efforts. Their variation in length and sequence provides genetic information even in samples of low quantity and quality, enabling high resolution for identification and attribution purposes, and culminating in the development of national DNA databases.
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Budowle, B., Sajantila, A. Short tandem repeats — how microsatellites became the currency of forensic genetics. Nat Rev Genet (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-024-00721-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-024-00721-1