In the United States, the development of Y-STR core loci has followed a pattern similar to the development of the CODIS core STR loci. The Scientific Working Group for DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) created a subcommittee to investigate Y-STRs. The subcommittee reviewed published data and ran several hundred population database samples to evaluate various loci.

The subcommittee established the following 11 loci as the core Y-STR loci: 

• DYS19
• DYS385 A/B
• DYS389I
• DYS389II
• DYS390
• DYS391
• DYS392
• DYS393
• DYS438
• DYS439
• DYS19⁰⁸

With the establishment of the core loci, manufacturers have the specifications needed for the development of Y-STR kits

European laboratories have also established core Y-STR loci for forensic testing. ENFSI decided to use the same loci as the United States, minus DYS438 and DYS439.⁰⁹

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