STR Analysis vs. SNP Genotyping: When to Use Each

Choosing between STRs and SNPs depends on your research goals. Both offer unique advantages—but not all polymorphisms are created equal.

STRs and SNPs at a Glance

• STRs (Short Tandem Repeats): Highly variable, 2–6 bp repeats, multi-allelic
  

• SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms): Single base changes, typically bi-allelic

Comparison Table

Expert Considerations

STRs:

• Better for detecting complex mixtures or partial profiles
• More informative in low-SNP-diversity populations
• Prone to stutter; use software with motif-specific stutter modeling

SNPs:

• Offer consistent performance across platforms
• Ideal for high-throughput and genome-wide coverage
  
  

GeneMarker®HID includes mixture deconvolution, allele frequency tables, and SNP + STR panel support, enabling labs to combine markers when appropriate. GeneMarker® includes an embedded SNaPshot® module and panels or analysis of CE SNP chemistries.

Hybrid Approaches

Modern forensic and biodiversity labs often combine STRs and SNPs for greater discriminatory power. This is especially useful for:

• Distant kinship determination

• Admixture analysis

• Low-template or degraded samples

Tools from SoftGenetics

• GeneMarker®HID: STR/SNP workflows with robust visualization, match scoring, and mixture handling  Fully validated for forensic workflows and customizable for research use
• GeneMarker® STR and SNaPshot specific panels and analysis

Start your journey with a free  35-day trial of SoftGenetics software and experience the difference in variant detection analysis.