Forensic Genetics: Mathematics

Charles H Brenner, Oakland, California, USA

Published online: July 2006

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0005451

DNA identification consists in using DNA polymorphisms in order to link DNA samples, such as a suspect to a crime stain. Probability, population genetic, and statistical issues that arise offer considerable scope for mathematical treatment.

Keywords: forensic mathematics; DNA identification; product rule; population structure; Bayes's theorem; likelihood ratio

 References
    Balding DJ and Nichols RA (1994) DNA profile match probability calculations: how to allow for population stratification, relatedness, database selection and single bands. Forensic Science International 64: 125–140.
    Brenner CH (1997) Symbolic kinship program. Genetics 145: 535–542.
    book Brenner CH and Morris J (1990) "Paternity index calculations in single locus hypervariable DNA probes: validation and other studies". Data Acquisition and Statistical Analysis for DNA Typing Laboratories, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Human Identification 1989, pp. 21–54. Madison, WI: Promega Corporation. (Also available online (see Web Links).)
    book Brenner CH and Weir BS (2003) "Issues and strategies in the identification of World Trade Center victims". Theoretical Population Biology (in press).
    book Crow J and the National Research Council (1996) The Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
    Ewens WJ (1972) The sampling theory of selectively neutral alleles. Theoretical Population Biology 3: 87–112.
    book Faigman D, Kaye DH, Saks M and Sanders J (eds.) (1997) Modern Scientific Evidence: The Law and Science of Expert Testimony, vol. 1, sect. 19-1.5, pp. 759–760. St Paul, MI: West Publishing.
    Gill P, Sparkes R, Pinchin R, et al. (1998) Interpreting simple STR mixtures using allele peak areas. Forensic Science International 91: 41–53.
    Morton NE (1992) Genetic structure of forensic populations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 89: 2556–2560.
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    Weir BS, Triggs CM, Starling L, et al. (1997) Interpreting DNA mixtures. Journal of Forensic Science 42(2): 213–222.
    Wright S (1930) Evolution in Mendelian populations. Genetics 16: 97–159.
 Further Reading
    Balding DJ (1999) When can a DNA profile be regarded as unique? Science and Justice 39(4): 257–260.
    Balding DJ and Donnelly P (1995) Inference in forensic identification. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society A 158(1): 21–53.
    Brookfield JFY (1995) Statistical issues in DNA evidence. Electrophoresis 16: 1665–1669.
    Crow JF (1989) Twenty-five years ago in genetics: the infinite allele model. Genetics 121: 631–634.
    Dawid AP and Mortera J (1996) Coherent analysis of forensic identification evidence. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society B 58(2): 425–443.
    book Evett IW, Foreman LA, Jackson G and Lambert JA (2000) "DNA profiling: a discussion of issues relating to the reporting of very small match probabilities". Criminal Law Review May: 341–355.
    book Gale JS (1990) Theoretical Population Genetics. London, UK: Unwin Hyman.
    Lewontin RC and Hartl DL (1991) Population genetics in forensic DNA typing. Science 254: 1745–1750.
    Morton NE (1995) Alternative approaches to population structure. Genetica 96: 139–144.
    Palmirotta R, Verginelli R, Cama A, et al. (1998) Origin and gender determination of dried blood on a statue of the Virgin Mary. Journal of Forensic Science 42(2): 431–434.
    Weir BS (1992) Population genetics in the forensic DNA debate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 89: 11654–11659.
    Weir BS and Cockerham CC (1984) Estimating F-statistics for the analysis of population structure. Evolution 38(6): 1358–1370.
 Web Links
    ePath Paternity index calculations in single locus hypervariable DNA probes: validation and other studies by Charles Brenner and Jeffrey W Morris http://dna-view.com/promeg89.htm

Related Sub-Topics:

Techniques and Tools in Clinical Genetics | Statistical Methodology in Genetics | Forensic Genetics | Techniques and Tools in Molecular Biology
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Article Title: Forensic Genetics: Mathematics
 
How to Cite close
Brenner, Charles H(Jul 2006) Forensic Genetics: Mathematics. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0005451]