Exploring the Role of Short Tandem Repeats (STR) in Forensic Biotechnology: Challenges and Innovations

Short tandem repeat (STR) typing remains a crucial tool in forensic DNA profiling worldwide. This technology not only helps in convicting criminals and proving wrongful convictions but also establishes essential links to actual perpetrators of crimes and can act as a deterrent to potential offenders. DNA profiling has also allowed forensic scientists to re-examine closed cases due to insufficient evidence. To conduct this review, an extensive electronic literature search was performed using databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Google Search. All relevant works, including reviews, retrospective studies, observational studies, and original articles, were thoroughly reviewed. This paper explores the challenges and perspectives associated with using STRs in forensic investigations. STRs have high polymorphism, Mendelian inheritance, and the ability to analyze multiple loci in one reaction, making them essential tools in forensic science. Additionally, their suitability for analyzing degraded or traces DNA samples enhances their usefulness in criminal investigations and paternity testing. This abstract summarizes the current landscape of STR applications in forensic biotechnology, highlighting the challenges researchers face and the promising features that drive innovation in this field.