FDC Statistical Analysis & Population Genetics

Question 1

Which principle states that allele and genotype frequencies remain constant from generation to generation in a large, randomly mating population with no selection, mutation, or migration?

Accepted Answer

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Answer

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium describes the theoretical state in which allele and genotype frequencies remain stable across generations under ideal conditions, forming the statistical foundation for forensic DNA frequency calculations.

Question 2

In forensic DNA analysis, the Random Match Probability (RMP) represents:

Accepted Answer

The probability that two unrelated individuals share the same DNA profile by chance

Answer

RMP is the probability that a randomly selected, unrelated individual from the population would coincidentally share the same DNA profile as the evidence, expressing the rarity of the profile.

Question 3

To calculate the expected heterozygote frequency at a single STR locus under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium for alleles with frequencies p and q, the formula is:

Accepted Answer

2pq

Answer

Under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, the expected frequency of a heterozygous genotype (two different alleles) is 2pq, where p and q are the individual allele frequencies.

Question 4

The Product Rule in forensic DNA statistics is applied to:

Accepted Answer

Multiply individual locus genotype frequencies across multiple STR loci to obtain a combined profile frequency

Answer

The Product Rule allows analysts to combine genotype frequencies across independent STR loci by multiplication, yielding the overall profile frequency assuming independence between loci.

Question 5

The theta (θ) correction factor is applied in forensic DNA statistics to account for:

Accepted Answer

Population substructure that may cause allele frequencies to differ among ethnic subgroups

Answer

Theta correction adjusts genotype frequency estimates to account for population substructure, where individuals within an ethnic subgroup may be more closely related than expected under simple random mating.

(FDC) Forensic DNA Certification Practice Test

(FDC) Forensic DNA Certification Practice Test

FDC Statistical Analysis & Population Genetics