Korean J Leg Med.  2014 May;38(2):39-47. 10.7580/kjlm.2014.38.2.39.

Statistical Evaluation of Lineage Markers in Individual Identification

• Lee HJ
• Lee SD
• Lee SH
• Park SJ
• Jeong SJ
• Lee JW

• KMID: 1849352
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2014.38.2.39

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA) and the non-recombining region of the Y chromosome are passed down, unaltered, from generation to generation, matrilineally and patrilineally, respectively. Therefore, the Y-chromosome DNA and mtDNA are known as lineage markers, and they play important roles in studies based on human migration and evolutionary history. Y-chromosome DNA is used in forensic analysis to identify individuals involved in cases of sexual assault. In this paper, we review the methods of statistical evaluation of lineage markers used in forensic identification. We also review the combined approach of autosomal and lineage marker evidence.

Keyword

Lineage marker; Mitochondrial DNA; Y chromosome; Individual identification; Match probability

MeSH Terms

DNA
DNA, Mitochondrial
Human Migration
Y Chromosome
DNA
DNA, Mitochondrial

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