Did familial DNA testing come up in the McCann case? https://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/JOHN_LOWE.htm
Big section of the report is discussing whether the DNA samples came from a relative of Madeleine. I need to read it again now that I have started to understand Familial testing.
"Basic information on the establishment of DNA profiles.
DNA is a complex chemical that is found in the majority of cells in the human body, including cells in the blood, semen, saliva and hair roots. DNA carries genetic information that determines physical characteristics of a person and directs the processes involved in the functioning of an organism. This information exists in the form of a code, half of which is inherited from the father and [half] from the mother.
Except for truly identical twins, the DNA of each person is unique, although the technology currently available today does not permit the analysis of all the differences between persons. The techniques used by FSS analyses specific regions of DNA known as short tandem repeats (STRs), that are known to be amply variable from individual to individual. The techniques of establishing DNA profiles can, therefore, be used to exclude, conclusively, one person as the donor of an unknown DNA source, and can, frequently, provide convincing indications in terms of participation [contribution - ], though not allowing, as yet, proof of identity.
The establishment of DNA profiles (STR) uses the technique of DNA amplification, through which specific DNA regions are selected and copied many times. This increases the quantity of DNA available for analysis and means that a DNA profile can be obtained from samples in which the initial quantity or quality of DNA is not adequate for other methods of establishing profiles.
In this way, DNA profiles are produced through amplification (copying) of eleven different areas of DNA. Ten of those areas contain STR. They are known as D3, VWA, D16, D2, D8, D21, D18, D19, THO1 and FGA. The eleventh, known as amelogenina, indicates the sex of the donor. The individual components of a DNA profile are represented by a series of peaks that can be measured, allowing them to be attributed a designation [labelled - ]. One person will have two peaks in each STR, one inherited from each progenitor [parent], unless the same STR has been inherited from both progenitors, in which case only one peak will be observed.
If the DNA profiles relating to a stain, obtained from a crime [scene], and [that of] a suspect reveal no differences, it is said that they match. The estimation of the amount of the level of proof of DNA profiles that match between, for example, a stain of body fluid and a suspect, consists of calculating the probability of obtaining the match if, in reality, the stain was not from the suspect, but was from another individual with the same DNA profile. That is known as the probability of correspondence [matching].
The probability of matching depends upon the level of kinship [parental similarity] existing between the suspect and another individual. True identical twins have the same profile. But, due to the random manner in which DNA from the two progenitors combine to form the descendant, the probability of two siblings presenting a match in all ten STR regions is, approximately, one in ten thousand (1 in 10,000). The more distant the relationship becomes between two persons, the more reduced becomes the probability of matching in all ten STR regions.
For example, the probability of two first cousins having the same profile is of the order of one to one hundred million (1 to 100-million).
Where there exists no clear indication that a relative close to the suspect is involved, it is common practice to indicate a probability of matching relative to an unknown person who has no kinship with the suspect. With a complete profile this probability of matching is of the order of one to one thousand million (1 to 1,000-million) [or 1 to 1-billion using U.S. numbering].
In the case of a partial profile being obtained, the probability of matching is calculated using reference databases [tables] that contain calculated proportions of each DNA profile component present in the general population. These estimates are then combined in a manner that permits compensation for possible associations between DNA components in order to establish the calculation of the probability of matching relating to the partial DNA profile.
The calculations of probability of matching are done using three databases containing DNA profiles obtained previously from individuals of caucasian, afro-caribbean and asiatic descent of this country [namely, U.K.] When the racial origin of a person who left the biological material is not known, the result presented in the deposition will be the lowest of the results obtained."
based on this part of the file:
"In my opinion, the results detailed above provide extremely strong support for the view that the profile obtained from the pillowcase originates from a natural child of Kate HEALY and Gerald McCANN.
Please note: I understand that the McCANN - s have a second female child. It therefore remains a formal possibility that the DNA on the pillowcase could have originated from her as the genetics would be in keeping with those described above."
There was DNA samples provided. However, the results were not unexpected to be fair. It was established both Kte and Gerry were her parents BUT it also mentions ,quite interestingly, another female child - which if was left on the bed would show up the same results.
What the results didn't do was to state without predjudice that someone elses DNA was on that bed i.e the 'abductors' Nlow let us look at this or even do a trial at home. lay a child or doll on the bed as if it was sleeping and try tpo lift it without touching or brushing the bed at all...
On top of this there are no hand prints, glove fibers, foot prints, scuff marks... nothing!
