Allele frequencies for nine short tandem repeat (STR) loci from the AmpFlSTR® Profiler Plus PCR
Amplification Kit were determined in five subpopulations across Botswana and tested for suitability for
use in individual identification. DNA was extracted from whole blood samples collected from 150
unrelated individuals. Targeted regions of DNA (vWA, FGA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179,
D13S317, D18S51, D21S11 and the sex determining locus Amelogenin) were amplified using
multiplexed PCR. The alleles showed a high degree of polymorphism, with heterozygosity above 67%,
indicating that there is no significant inbreeding within the subpopulations. Matching probability was
below 0.2 hence power of discrimination was high, indicating that the alleles from the five subpopulations
can be used in human identifications. The present study is the first reported attempt at
determining allele frequencies of subpopulations in Botswana and could possibly be used in
developing a national DNA database.