PCR-Typing of the Human HLA-DQα Locus: Population Genetics and Application in Forensic Casework

Multi- and single-locus probes recognizing highly polymorphic DNA sequences throughout the genome ([1–3]; C. Rittner, this volume) have become powerful tools for paternity testing and forensic stain analysis. In forensic casework, however, DNA probe technology can often not be applied, since genomic DNA extracted from stain material exposed to conditions of high temperatures and humidity is degraded. Also, the amount of DNA to be typed may not be sufficient to use DNA probe technology, e.g. if extracted from minute blood or sperm stains, from single hairs or from cell smears on microscope slides.