title: Interpreting simple STR mixtures using allele peak areas.
abstract: Although existing statistical models can interpret mixtures qualitatively based upon the alleles present, the use of automated sequencers opens the opportunity to take account of quantitative aspects embodied by the peak area. One step in understanding simple mixtures consisting of just two donors is to estimate the mixture ratio. This is relatively easy to do when four-allele mixtures are evident at a given locus. However, if the mixture consists of three or fewer alleles, the process it is not straightforward. We demonstrate that mixture estimates are consistent across all loci in a multiplex system. Once the mixture ratio is known, then the expected peak areas for any given combination of alleles can be estimated using a simple spreadsheet analysis.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Science Service, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sparkes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinchin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buckleton
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA