EFFECTS OF POPULATION-STRUCTURE ON DNA FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS IN FORENSIC-SCIENCE

Abstract

DNA fingerprints are used in forensic sciences to identify individuals. However, current analyses could underestimate the probability of two individuals sharing the same profile because the effect of population structure is not incorporated. An alternative analysis is proposed to take into account population stratification. The analysis uses studies of inbreeding in human populations to obtain an empirical upper bound on the magnitude of the effect.