Interpreting DNA mixtures with the presence of relatives.

The assessment of DNA mixtures with the presence of relatives is discussed in this paper. The kinship coefficients are incorporated into the evaluation of the likelihood ratio and we first derive a unified expression of joint genotypic probabilities. A general formula and seven types of detailed expressions for calculating likelihood ratios are then developed for the case that a relative of the tested suspect is an unknown contributor to the mixed stain. These results can also be applied to the case of a non-tested suspect with one tested relative. Moreover, the formula for calculating the likelihood ratio when there are two related unknown contributors is given. Data for a real situation are given for illustration, and the effect of kinship on the likelihood ratio is shown therein. Some interesting findings are obtained.