Linkage and linkage disequilibrium among the markers in the forensic MPS panels

Abstract

Since the birth of forensic genetics decades ago, the selected forensic markers typically are assumed to be independent of each other, so that the statistical measures of the individual markers (e.g., match probabilities, likelihood ratios, and probability of inclusion) can be directly multiplied together to achieve high discriminating power. In fact, some common markers may not be strictly independent. For example, the short tandem repeat (STR) loci vWA and D12S391 are only ~6.36 million bases (Mb) apart and demonstrate linkage [1].Many studies have been conducted to investigate the dependencies among the common forensic markers, and a number of linked marker pairs have been identified, which can have an impact on statistical calculations [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Accordingly, the statistical calculation and interpretation of these dependent markers may need to be adjusted [4,[12][13][14][15].

Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019–2022

“…Collaborative studies have explored variability with laboratory performance using MPS methods [ 398 , 399 ]. Population structure [ 400 ] and linkage and linkage disequilibrium [ 401 ] were examined among the markers in forensic MPS panels.…”