Population Genetics in Forensic DNA Typing

Variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) sequences are used to link defendants with crimes by matching DNA patterns. The probative value of a match is often calculated by multiplying together the estimated frequencies with which each particular VNTR pattern occurs in a reference database. However, th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1991-12, Vol.254 (5039), p.1745-1750
Main Authors: Lewontin, R. C., Hartl, Daniel L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alleles
Blood Group Antigens - genetics
Blood groups
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA Fingerprinting
DNA identification
DNA Probes
DNA testing
Ethnic Groups - genetics
European Continental Ancestry Group - genetics
Fingerprinting
Forensic genetics
forensic science
Forensic sciences
Gene Frequency
Genetic loci
Genetics
Genetics, Medical
Genetics, Population
Genotypes
Humans
Minisatellite repeats
Minority & ethnic groups
Population genetics
Probability
Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
United States
White people
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Description
Summary:Variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) sequences are used to link defendants with crimes by matching DNA patterns. The probative value of a match is often calculated by multiplying together the estimated frequencies with which each particular VNTR pattern occurs in a reference database. However, this method is liable to potentially serious errors because ethnic subgroups within major racial categories exhibit genetic differences that are maintained by endogamy. The multiplication procedure currently in use can be made scientifically valid only by extensive sampling of VNTR frequency distributions in a variety of ethnic groups, similar to the ethnic studies of various blood groups done in the past. Alternative approaches for dealing with subpopulation heterogeneity are discussed.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1845040