Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) profiling is a valuable complementary technique in forensic genetics that can be used in the interpretation of mixed biological material with significant male component and dominant female component.Y-STR forensic utility of mixed DNA profiles is reviewed and focus is placed on applications, evidential value, limitations and future developments.In the literature, Y-STR analysis was described to be selective towards male DNA and can enhance the identification and characterization of male contributors from highly unbalanced mixtures, such as sexual-assault evidence.It could also help determine multiple male contributors, paternal lines, degraded or low template male DNA and unidentified male donors.However, Y-STR profiles do not represent the identity of an individual, and paternity relatives can have the same or similar profiles.Allele dropout, stutter, peak imbalance, number of contributors, linkage between loci, population structure, and database selection are other factors that complicate interpretation.Therefore, Y-STR results have to be used in conjunction with autosomal STR results and suitable statistical methods.The prospect of discrimination and complex-mixture interpretation can be enhanced through rapidly mutating Y-STRs, massively parallel sequencing, Y-SNPs, and single-cell analysis as well as computational methods.Y-STR profiling is generally still a useful tool in cases of challenging forensic DNA evidence.

Adrija Saha,"Forensic Utility of Y-STR Profiling in the Interpretation of Mixed DNA Profiles" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(5): Page(721-732) September - October 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.