Statistics and probability play an important role in the interpretation of forensic DNA. Unlike other areas of forensic science, probability is often needed in assessing the weight of DNA evidence probabilities in the magnitude of one in millions or one in billions are commonly heard in court cases. A major aim of this book is to introduce the fundamental statistical and probability theory and methods for the evaluation of DNA evidence. The book covers three main applications of DNA profiling, namely identity testing, determination of parentage and kinship, and interpretation of mixed DNA stains.
Author(s): Wing Kam Fung, Yue-Qing Hu
Edition: 1
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 262
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Statistics, forensic science and the law ........................... 1
1.2 The use of statistics in forensic DNA ............................ 1
1.3 Genetic basis of DNA profiling and typing technology ................ 3
1.3.1 Genetic basis ........................................ 3
1.3.2 Typing technology .................................... 4
1.4 About the book............................................ 5
2 Probability and statistics 7
2.1 Probability ............................................... 7
2.2 Dependent events and conditional probability....................... 9
2.3 Law of total probability ..................................... 10
2.4 Bayes’ Theorem .......................................... 11
2.5 Binomial probability distribution............................... 12
2.6 Multinomial distribution..................................... 13
2.7 Poisson distribution ........................................ 14
2.8 Normal distribution ........................................ 14
2.9 Likelihood ratio .......................................... 16
2.10 Statistical inference ........................................ 17
2.10.1 Test of hypothesis.................................... 17
2.10.2 Estimation and testing................................. 19
2.11 Problems ............................................... 20
3 Population genetics 23
3.1 Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium ................................. 23
3.2 Test for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium ........................... 25
3.2.1 Observed and expected heterozygosities .................... 25
3.2.2 Chi-square test ...................................... 27
3.2.3 Fisher’s exact test .................................... 29
3.2.4 Computer software ................................... 30
3.3 Other statistics for analysis of a population database................. 31
3.3.1 Linkage equilibrium .................................. 31
3.3.2 Power of discrimination................................ 33
3.4 DNA profiling............................................ 35
3.5 Subpopulation models ...................................... 37
3.6 Relatives ............................................... 42
3.7 Problems ............................................... 45
4 Parentage testing 47
4.1 Standard trio............................................. 47
4.1.1 Paternity index ...................................... 47
4.1.2 An example ........................................ 48
4.1.3 Posterior odds and probability of paternity .................. 49
4.2 Paternity computer software .................................. 52
4.2.1 Steps in running the software............................ 52
4.2.2 The software to deal with an incest case .................... 52
4.3 A relative of the alleged father is the true father.................... 54
4.4 Alleged father unavailable but his relative is ...................... 57
4.5 Motherless case........................................... 58
4.5.1 Paternity index ...................................... 58
4.5.2 Computer software and example.......................... 59
4.6 Motherless case: relatives involved ............................. 60
4.6.1 A relative of the alleged father is the true father .............. 60
4.6.2 Alleged father unavailable but his relative is ................. 62
4.6.3 Computer software and example.......................... 62
4.7 Determination of both parents................................. 63
4.8 Probability of excluding a random man from paternity ............... 66
4.9 Power of exclusion ........................................ 68
4.9.1 A random man case .................................. 68
4.9.2 A relative case ....................................... 69
4.9.3 An elder brother case: mother available..................... 71
4.10 Other issues ............................................. 74
4.10.1 Reverse parentage.................................... 74
4.10.2 Mutation .......................................... 75
4.11 Problems ............................................... 76
5 Testing for kinship 79
5.1 Kinship testing of any two persons: HWE ........................ 79
5.2 Computer software ........................................ 83
5.3 Kinship testing of two persons: subdivided populations ............... 83
5.3.1 Joint genotype probability .............................. 83
5.3.2 Relatives involved.................................... 87
5.4 Examples with software..................................... 89
5.5 Three persons situation: HWE ................................ 91
5.6 Computer software and example ............................... 95
5.7 Three persons situation: subdivided populations .................... 96
5.7.1 Standard trio ....................................... 96
5.7.2 A relative of the alleged father is the true father . . . ........... 97
5.7.3 Alleged father unavailable but his relative is ................. 99
5.7.4 Example .......................................... 99
5.7.5 General method and computer software.................... 101
5.8 Complex kinship determinations: method and software .............. 102
5.8.1 EasyPA_In_1_Minute software and the method .............. 104
5.8.2 EasyPAnt_In_1_Minute ............................... 107
5.8.3 EasyIN_In_1_Minute ................................ 107
5.8.4 EasyMISS_In_1_Minute .............................. 108
5.8.5 Other considerations: probability of paternity and mutation ...... 110
5.9 Problems .............................................. 111
6 Interpreting mixtures 113
6.1 An illustrative example .................................... 113
6.2 Some common cases and a case example........................ 115
6.2.1 One victim, one suspect and one unknown ................. 115
6.2.2 One suspect and two unknowns ......................... 116
6.2.3 Two suspects and two unknowns ........................ 117
6.2.4 Case example...................................... 118
6.2.5 Exclusion probability ................................ 119
6.3 A general approach ....................................... 121
6.4 Population in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium ...................... 122
6.5 Population with multiple ethnic groups ......................... 124
6.6 Subdivided population ..................................... 128
6.6.1 Single ethnic group: simple cases ........................ 128
6.6.2 Single ethnic group: general situations .................... 128
6.6.3 Multiple ethnic groups ............................... 132
6.7 Computer software and example .............................. 134
6.8 NRC II Recommendation 4.1 ................................ 135
6.8.1 Single ethnic group.................................. 135
6.8.2 Multiple ethnic groups ............................... 137
6.9 Proofs ................................................ 141
6.9.1 The proof of Equation (6.6) ............................ 141
6.9.2 The proof of Equation (6.8) ........................... 142
6.9.3 The proof of Equation (6.9) ............................ 142
6.9.4 The proofs of Equations (6.11) and (6.12) ................. 142
6.9.5 The proofs of Equations (6.14) and (6.15) .................. 145
6.10 Problems .............................................. 145
7 Interpreting mixtures in the presence of relatives 147
7.1 One pair of relatives: HWE ................................. 147
7.1.1 Motivating example ................................. 148
7.1.2 A probability formula ................................ 149
7.1.3 Tested suspect with an unknown relative ................... 150
7.1.4 Unknown suspect with a tested relative.................... 151
7.1.5 Two related persons were unknown contributors.............. 152
7.1.6 An application ..................................... 153
7.2 Two pairs of relatives: HWE ................................ 157
7.2.1 Two unknowns related respectively to two typed persons ....... 159
7.2.2 One unknown is related to a typed person and two other
unknowns are related................................. 160
7.2.3 Two pairs of related unknowns.......................... 161
7.2.4 Examples......................................... 161
7.2.5 Extension......................................... 165
7.3 Related people from the same subdivided population ............... 165
7.3.1 Introductory example ................................ 165
7.3.2 A simple case with one victim, one suspect and one relative ..... 167
7.3.3 General formulas ................................... 167
7.3.4 An example analyzed by the software..................... 170
7.4 Proofs ................................................ 172
7.4.1 Preliminary ....................................... 172
7.4.2 The proof of Equation (7.5) ............................ 180
7.4.3 The proof of Equation (7.7) ............................ 180
7.4.4 The proof of Equation (7.9) ............................ 181
7.4.5 The proof of Equation (7.11) ........................... 181
7.4.6 The proof of Equation (7.13) ........................... 181
7.4.7 The proofs of Equations (7.18) and (7.20) .................. 181
7.5 Problems .............................................. 186
8 Other issues 187
8.1 Lineage markers ......................................... 187
8.2 Haplotypic genetic markers for mixture ......................... 189
8.3 Bayesian network ........................................ 191
8.4 Peak information......................................... 194
8.5 Mass disaster ........................................... 196
8.6 Database search ......................................... 197
Solutions to problems 201
Appendix A: The standard normal distribution 225
Appendix B: Upper 1% and 5% points of v2 distributions 227
