Power of exclusion revisited: probability of excluding relatives of the true father from paternity

Int J Legal Med. 2002 Apr;116(2):64-7. doi: 10.1007/s004140100210.

Abstract

In parentage testing using DNA markers, the formulae for calculating the probability of exclusion generally overstate the power of a test battery by considering its ability to exclude a random man. It is known that in many cases, in particular immigration applications, the false father is more likely to be a relative, e.g. brother, of the true father than an unrelated man. This work presents formulae that take this consideration into account. A practical example using Hong Kong data is provided to illustrate the effect of the modification. Also discussed is how the expected efficacy of a test battery will be affected when possible mutations and null alleles or genetic inconsistencies are taken into consideration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Fingerprinting / methods*
  • Family
  • Female
  • Forensic Medicine
  • Genetic Markers
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Paternity*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Probability
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences

Substances

  • Genetic Markers