Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Awards/Availabilty

Open Access Presidential Scholars Thesis

First Advisor

Timothy Hardy

Keywords

DNA fingerprinting; Forensic genetics;

Abstract

This paper consists of an overview of the procedures and criticisms involved in current forensic DNA typing. The opening presents a brief introduction to the genetic characteristics of DNA, followed by a review of the typing procedure. The main emphasis of the paper is the criticisms of the current procedure. These criticisms include an attack on the independence assumption and its justification of the use of the multiplication rule in calculating test results. A number of experts have proposed that heterogeneity within ethnic subpopulations may significantly undermine the independence assumption and render invalid the use of the multiplication rule. Others contend that any sub structuring that does occur is minor and has no practical effect on the test results. Correct application of Bayes' Theorem has been shown to seriously alter the conclusions reached in interpreting test results.

Date of Award

1995

Department

Department of Biology

Presidential Scholar Designation

A paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the designation Presidential Scholar

Comments

If you are the rightful copyright holder of this Presidential Scholars thesis and wish to have it removed from the Open Access Collection, please submit an email request to scholarworks@uni.edu. Include your name and clearly identify the thesis by full title and author as shown on the work.

Date Original

1995

Object Description

1 PDF file (27 pages)

Date Digital

11-27-2017

Copyright

©1995 - Nick Craig

Type

document

Language

EN

File Format

application_pdf

Included in

Evidence Commons

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