Uncertainty in the number of contributors in the proposed new CODIS set

Published

July 17, 2015

Author(s)

Michael D. Coble, Jo-Anne Bright, John S. Buckleton, James Curran

Abstract

The probability that multiple contributors are detected within a forensic DNA profile improves as more highly polymorphic loci are analysed. The assignment of the correct number of contributors to a profile is important when interpreting the DNA profiles. In this work we investigate the probability of a mixed DNA profile appearing as having originated from a fewer number of contributors for the African American, Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic US populations. We investigate a range of locus configurations from the proposed new CODIS set. We show that the probability of a higher order mixture (five or six contributors) appearing as having originated from one less individual is high. This probability decreases as the number of loci tested increases.

Citation

Forensic Science International: Genetics

Volume

19

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

Forensic DNA, mixed DNA profiles, interpretation

Citation

Coble, M. , Bright, J. , Buckleton, J. and Curran, J. (2015), Uncertainty in the number of contributors in the proposed new CODIS set, Forensic Science International: Genetics, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.07.005 (Accessed April 18, 2024)