Y-STR analysis in forensic science is MOST useful in which of the following situations?
- A Determining the sex of skeletal remains when morphology is inconclusive
- B Differentiating between male contributors in a mixed sexual assault sample where autosomal STRs show complex mixtures ✓
- C Confirming maternal lineage for disaster victim identification
- D Excluding a female suspect from a crime scene hair sample
Correct answer: B. Differentiating between male contributors in a mixed sexual assault sample where autosomal STRs show complex mixtures
Explanation
Y-STR profiling targets the non-recombining portion of the Y chromosome, which is inherited paternally. It is particularly valuable in sexual assault cases with multiple male contributors, as it can delineate male lineages that would be indistinguishable in a complex autosomal STR mixture. It does not help with maternal lineage (mtDNA does that) and cannot exclude a female since females lack a Y chromosome.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.