ANALYTICAL ASPECTS OF POPULATION-SPECIFIC DNA-FINGERPRINTING FOR INDIVIDUALS

An emerging problem of some interest is whether we can determine the p opulation membership of a single individual, using a population-specif ic ''genetic fingerprint.'' The levels of accuracy and precision requi red are beyond the reach of allozyme analysis, and attention has shift ed to DNA polymorphisms. There are different types of DNA markers avai lable for population surveys: RFLPs, mini-and microsatellites, and RAP Ds, and each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. We present a g eneric analysis that relates gene pool separation to our ability to as sign individuals, an analysis that does not depend on the type of mark er. We then review strengths and weaknesses of different DNA markers, in the context of DNA fingerprinting. Codominant loci are best. It is possible to gain more information per marker with multiallelic loci, b ut diminishing returns set in rapidly, and it is better to add loci. A modest number of independent loci is best, each locus with a modest n umber of alleles and with each allele in modest frequency.