Probabilistic expert systems for handling artifacts in complex DNA mixtures

Journal article

This paper presents a coherent probabilistic framework for taking account of allelic dropout, stutter bands and silent alleles when interpreting STR DNA profiles from a mixture sample using peak size information arising from a PCR analysis. This information can be exploited for evaluating the evidential strength for a hypothesis that DNA from a particular person is present in the mixture. It extends an earlier Bayesian network approach that ignored such artifacts. We illustrate the use of the extended network on a published casework example. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Authors: Cowell, R; Lauritzen, S; Mortera, J

• Journal: Forensic Science International: Genetics
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 202-209
• Publication date: 2011-06-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2010.03.008
• ISSN: 1872-4973
• Language: English
• Keywords: Probabilistic expert systems; DNA mixtures; Bayesian networks; Peak area; silent alleles; stutter bands; Artifacts; Allelic dropout; STR marker