Scientists at the university where DNA fingerprinting originated have developed a new technique that shows men with the same surname are highly likely to be genetically linked.
DNA fingerprinting was first introduced at Leicester University in 1984. Now, researchers at the university have demonstrated a new leap in developments that could help law enforcement agencies determine the surname of a male suspect or the victim of a crime.
Genealogy researchers as well as crime scene investigators using traces of DNA found in blood, saliva or semen would also benefit from the research.
The technique is based on analyzing DNA from the Y chromosome that imparts maleness and which, like surnames, is passed down from father to son.
Those with the most unusual names usually have the highest likelihood of finding a genetic match.
A study of 2,500 men found that on average there was a 24 percent chance of two men with the same surname sharing a common ancestor but this increased to nearly 50 percent when the surname was rare.
Over 70 percent of men with surnames such as Attenborough and Swindlehurst shared the same or near identical Y chromosome types.
“The fact that such a strong link exists between surname and Y chromosome type has a potential use in forensic science, since it suggests that, given large databases of names and Y chromosome profiles, surname prediction from DNA alone may be feasible,” said Turi King, who will present her research at a lecture on Wednesday.
Image Courtesy NSF
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