FamLinkX - implementation of a general model for likelihood computations for X-chromosomal marker data

Daniel Kling; Barbara Dell'Amico; Andreas O Tillmar

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.02.007

FamLinkX - implementation of a general model for likelihood computations for X-chromosomal marker data

Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2015 Jul:17:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.02.007. Epub 2015 Feb 21.

Authors

Daniel Kling¹, Barbara Dell'Amico², Andreas O Tillmar³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Genetics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4040 Nydalen, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway; Department for Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway. Electronic address: daniel.kling@fhi.no.
² Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Artillerigatan 12, SE-587 58 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: Barbara.dellamico@rmv.se.
³ Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Artillerigatan 12, SE-587 58 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: andreas.tillmar@rmv.se.

PMID: 25771099
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.02.007

Abstract

The use of genetic markers located on the X chromosome has seen a significant increase in the last years and their utility has been well studied. This paper describes the software FamLinkX, freely available at http://www.famlink.se, implementing a new algorithm for likelihood computations accounting for linkage, linkage disequilibrium and mutations. It is obvious that such software is sought for among forensic users as more and more X-chromosomal markers become available. We provide some simulated examples demonstrating the utility of the implementation as well as its application in forensic casework. Though algebraic derivations are generally unfeasible, the paper outlines some theoretical considerations and provides a discussion on the validation of the software. The focus of this paper is to compare the software to existing methods in a forensic setting, perform a validation study as well as to provide an idea of the discriminatory power for X-chromosomal markers.

Keywords: FamLinkX; Linkage; Linkage disequilibrium; Mutations; X chromosome.

Publication types

Validation Study

MeSH terms

Algorithms
Chromosome Mapping
Chromosomes, Human, X*
Forensic Genetics / methods*
Genes, X-Linked*
Genetic Linkage
Genetic Markers / genetics
Humans
Likelihood Functions
Linkage Disequilibrium
Models, Genetic*
Mutation
Software

Substances

Genetic Markers