Genetic characterization of four Colombian populations using Investigator® Argus X-12 kit

Abstract X-STR markers have been shown to be a powerful tool for solving complex cases of biological relations; their use increases the probability of solving difficult cases in contrast to using only A-STR markers. The objective of this study was to analyze 806 men from four Colombian populations (Department of Antioquia (n=202), Department of Cauca (n=200), Department of Santander (n=204) and Cundiboyacense Region (n=200)) with the Investigator ® Argus X-12 kit. Allelic and haplotype frequencies were calculated, and some basic parameters of forensic interest were established for each population. High combined discrimination power was obtained in all populations, both in men (>99.99999%) and in women (>99.99999999999), as well as a high combined mean exclusion chance in father/daughter pairs (>99, 99%) and in father/mother/daughter trios (>99.9999). This work is contributing to increasing the knowledge about the 12 X-STRs included in the Investigator ® Argus X-12 kit and the genetic composition of the Colombian populations studied.