YSTR testing

Type: Concept

As of November 2026, YSTR testing has been mentioned in one podcast episode on Crime Junkie (Nov 2025).

A Y-STR is a short tandem repeat (STR) on the Y-chromosome. Y-STRs are often used in forensics, paternity, and genealogical DNA testing. Y-STRs are taken specifically from the male Y chromosome. These Y-STRs provide a weaker analysis than autosomal STRs because the Y chromosome is found only in males, which are passed down only by the father, making the Y chromosome in any paternal line practically identical. This causes a significantly smaller amount of distinction between Y-STR samples. Autoso