title: New Zealand population data at five VNTR loci: validation as databases for forensic identity testing.
abstract: Databases were developed for three New Zealand ethnic groups (Caucasian, Maori and Polynesian), at five VNTR loci (D1S7, D2S44, D4S139, D5S110 and D12S11), and validated for interpretation of forensic identity tests. A +/-2.8% sliding window was used to define the alleles at each locus and allelic frequency distributions were obtained for each locus. The conservative nature of the sliding window approach for forensic casework was demonstrated. Tests for independence of alleles within and between loci showed good agreement with the expectation of independence. Although Polynesians are known to have reduced genetic diversity at some VNTR loci, this was found not to be a concern for the present methodology. Procedures for the analysis and reporting of DNA profile results used by New Zealand forensic scientists are therefore appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Wellington Science Centre, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Starling
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cordiner
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Monahan
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Buckleton
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Weir
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D015342:DNA Probes; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D009520:New Zealand; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes