Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Population genetics in the forensic DNA debate.

B S Weir1

  • 1Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-8203.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|December 15, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) profiling for linking suspects to crimes is powerful but controversial. Statistical methods for calculating profile frequency in populations remain a subject of debate, impacting evidence weight.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Global diversity analysis of plant-associated <i>Pseudopithomyces</i> fungi reveals a new species producing the toxin associated with facial eczema in livestock: <i>Pseudopithomyces toxicarius sp. nov</i>.

Studies in mycology·2026
Same author

<i>Fusarium</i>: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell.

Studies in mycology·2021
Same author

Phylogenetic relationships of eight new <i>Dacrymycetes</i> collected from New Zealand.

Persoonia·2017
Same author

Fungal Planet description sheets: 558-624.

Persoonia·2017
Same author

ESTIMATION OF GENE FLOW FROM F-STATISTICS.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2017
Same author

MAINTENANCE OF MALES AND FEMALES IN HERMAPHRODITE POPULATIONS AND THE EVOLUTION OF DIOECY.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2017

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Population Genetics
  • Statistical Analysis

Background:

  • Variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) profiling is a forensic technique used to link suspects to crimes.
  • The technique's application has been controversial, shifting from laboratory procedures to statistical and population genetic issues.
  • Calculating the frequency of a VNTR profile within a population is crucial for weighting evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the ongoing controversy surrounding the statistical interpretation of VNTR profile matches.
  • To examine the implications of different statistical approaches for calculating profile frequencies.
  • To analyze the impact of a recent National Research Council report on VNTR analysis debates.

Main Methods:

  • Review of statistical and population genetic principles relevant to VNTR analysis.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of methods for calculating the random match probability of VNTR profiles.
  • Analysis of the National Research Council's recommended procedure based on maximum component frequencies across populations.

    • Main Results:

    • The debate has largely moved from laboratory techniques to statistical and population genetic considerations.
    • The National Research Council's report, intended to resolve issues, has instead intensified debate.
    • The report's advocacy for using maximum frequencies over several populations is a key point of contention.

    Conclusions:

    • The statistical foundation for interpreting VNTR evidence requires further clarification and consensus.
    • Disagreements persist regarding the most appropriate methods for estimating profile frequencies.
    • The controversy highlights the need for robust, universally accepted statistical frameworks in forensic science.