Biological identification of kinship (BIK)

Identifier:  TFM:320

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM320

Authors:  Mateus Porta, Judit

Abstract:
Forensic genetics can be defined as the application of molecular biology techniques to identify an individual based on their genome. In many cases, there is no a reference sample of the person wanted to be identified, and in consequence, seeking kinship relationships with other individuals (conclusive samples) will be needed. The main objective of this project/research is to show the application of the different molecular markers used in forensic genetics to identify an individual based on the comparison with the genotype of their relatives. In order to prove the relationship between two samples, a statistical study will be required, giving a result based on probability. To show the entire analysis procedure carried out in a forensic genetics investigation, we show here three cases of individual identification by kinship analysis: (1) study of paternity, (2) historical memory investigation and (3) analysis of the sisterhood, from different biological sources. In the case of paternity study, autosomal STRs are used to determine the relationship between a child and two presumed parents, knowing who his mother is. On the other hand, in the historical memory project we aim to identify remains of missing war victims based on the comparison with different relatives through the autosomal markers and the Y chromosome. Finally, in the sisterhood analysis, since they are two women, it is intended to perform a biological identification from the autosomal STR and the polymorphisms of mitochondrial DNA, a marker of maternal lineage.