Short tandem repeat (STR) loci are the most informative PCR based genetic markers available to date for attempting to individualize biological material. The full use of DNA typing technology in forensic science has grown up by the development of National DNA databases. The aim of this study was to determine allele frequencies and statistical parameters of medico-legal interest, such as heterozygosity value, discrimination power and chances of exclusion in paternity cases for the loci D3S1358, VWA, EGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, THO1, TPOX and CSF1PO, D2S1338 and D19S433. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.