Hardy-Weinberg Testing With Continuous Data

• NCJ Number: 172962
• Author(s): L. McIntyre, B. S. Weir
• Date Published: January 1995
• Length: 25 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

These papers examine statistical issues in DNA profiling and the question of Hardy-Weinberg testing over all pairs of fragment lengths.

Abstract

The methods used in the analysis of Hardy-Weinberg testing were applied both to simulated data sets and to databases collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The discussion of statistical issues noted that when the DNA profile of an evidentiary sample matches the DNA profile of a crime suspect, it may be necessary to attach some numerical weight to the evidence of a match. The statistical issues arising in DNA profiling currently center on ways in which to accommodate population structure and to interpret mixtures. The care with which forensic samples are collected and analyzed must be matched by the care used in statistical analysis and in explaining these analyses to a court. Tables and reference lists