Abstracts

Human Genome Diversity

DNA identification is defined as identifying a person with use of DNA markers. It consists of three stages:

1. collection, registration and storage of biological samples;
2. DNA analyses;
3. population-genetic analysis, data interpretation and the expertise conclusion.

The third stage suggests an intepretation of the analyses in probabilistic terms and play a crucial role in a court room. It uses population data on DNA markers (usually, STR loci), tests on the frequencies of multilocus genotypes corresponding to an appropriate forensic version, estimates of population differentiation indecies, etc. In the presented paper, the following aspects are discussed.

• Forensic versions and the reference populations. 
• Population-genetic structure and probabilistic identification estimates.
• Problem of relatives; endogamous and isolated populations.
• Sampling strategy.
• A national data base on forensically important loci. 

The paper has been based on the following publications:

• Zaykin, D., L. Zhivotovsky and B. S. Weir. 1995. Exact tests for association between alleles at arbitrary numbers of loci. В книге: "Human Identification: The Use of DNA Markers". Kluwer Acad. Publ. London: 169-178.
• Zhivotovsky, LA, 1999. Forensic DNA identification: To what extent are its results acceptable? In: Popov V.L. (ed.) Frontiers in Human Identification. St. Petersburg. 75-76. (in Russian)
• Zhivotovsky L. A.. 1999. Recognition of the remains of Tsar Nicholas II and his family: a case of premature identification ? Annals of Human Biology 26: 569-578.
• Zhivotovsky, L. A., A. Suhaib, W. Wang, and A. Bittles. 2000. Forensic interpretation of genetic differentiation between endogamous communities (subm. in Journal of Forensic Sciences).
• Zhivotovsky L. A. Comments on “The directives for the use of individualizing systems based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms in forensic and parentage testing” by P.L.Ivanov (subm.).
• Zhivotovsky L. A. Population databases on forensic STR loci and probabilistic aspects of human DNA identification (ms).

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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