title: The fallacy of independence testing and the use of the product rule.
abstract: Use of the product rule which implies the assumption of within and between locus independence, is still common, particularly in the United States of America. Whilst it may be considered by some to be an acceptable approximation it is not logical to suggest that independence testing somehow "validates" its use. This paper discusses the nature of this fallacy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd., Private Bag 92-021, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Buckleton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Harbison
mesh_terms: D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D013223:Statistics as Topic