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STR Data Analysis and Interpretation for Forensic Analysts

Two Person Mixture with Two Alleles at a Locus

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Consider the following information:

D5S818

Allele

Peak Height

9

794

11

1201

The same approach can be used to estimate the mixture percentages and interpret data in a two person mixture case with two alleles at a locus. This information can aid in determining the most likely genotypes of the major and minor contributors.

The following scenarios are possible:

Possible Scenarios

Scenario

Genotype #1 (Major)

Genotype #2 (Minor)

1

9,9

9,11

2

9,11

9,11

3

9,9

11,11

4

9,11

11,11

5

9,11

9,9

6

11,11

9,9

7

11,11

9,11

  • Scenario #1
    This scenario is unlikely because a shared 9 allele would leave a very low percent contribution for Genotype #1.
  • Scenario #2
    If it is assumed that the minor donor contributed 25% and the major donor contributed 75% (based on FGA results).

    The estimated peak height percentage would be:
    • Genotype #1 would be 198/300 x 100 = 66%
    • Genotype #2 would be 596/901 x 100 = 66%
  • Scenario #3
    The percent contribution would be:
    • Genotype #1 (794 / 794 + 1201) x 100 = 40%
    • Genotype #2 (1201 / 794 + 1201) x 100 = 60%
  • Scenario #4
    In this scenario, 11 is a shared allele, and it is assumed that the contribution is equal to that of the 9 allele which is 794 RFUs (Genotype #1). This would leave Genotype #2 contributing 407 RFUs.

    The percent contribution would be:
    • Genotype #1 = (794 + 794/ 794 + 1201) x 100 = 80%
    • Genotype #2 = (407 / 794 + 1201) x 100 = 20%
  • Scenario #5
    This scenario unlikely since a shared 9 allele would leave a very low percent contribution for Genotype #2.
  • Scenario #6
    See scenario #3, as this is the reverse.

    The percent contribution would be:
    • Genotype #1 (1201 / 794 + 1201) x 100 = 60%
    • Genotype #2 (794 / 794 + 1201) x 100 = 40%
  • Scenario #7
    See scenario #4, as this is the reverse.

    In this scenario, 11 is a shared allele and it is assumed that the contribution is equal to that of the 9 allele which is 794 RFUs (Genotype #2). This would leave Genotype #1 contributing 407 RFUs.

    The percent contribution would be:
    • Genotype #1 = (407 / 794 + 1201) x 100 = 20%
    • Genotype #2 = (794 + 794/ 794 + 1201) x 100 = 80%

Based on these seven scenarios:

  • Scenarios 2, 4, and 7 are possible
  • Scenarios 3 and 6 are less likely
  • Scenarios 1 and 5 are not likely

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