DNA Forensics Problem Set 1

Problem 2: Determining Paternity

Results from a single locus probe DNA fingerprint analysis for a man and woman and their four children are shown in the autoradiograph to the right. Which child is least likely to be the biological offspring of this couple?
A. Child 1

B. Child 2

This was a tricky problem. If child 2 is the progeny of this man and woman, child 2 must have one band from each of them. However, child 2 appears to share two bands with the mother and none from the "father." Obviously, the mother could not have contributed both bands (alleles) to her child.

C. Child 3

D. Child 4

E. NONE of the children.


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