Abstract:
DNA profiling evidence presented in court should be accompanied by a reliable estimate of its evidential weight. In calculating such statistics,
allele frequencies from commonly employed autosomal microsatellite loci are required. These allele frequencies should be collected at a level that
appropriately represents the genetic diversity that exists in the population. Typically this occurs at broadly defined bio-geographic categories, such
as Caucasian or Asian. Datasets are commonly administered at the jurisdictional level. This paper focuses on Australian jurisdictions and assesses
whether this current practice is appropriate for Aboriginal Australian and Caucasian populations alike. In keeping with other studies we observe
negligible differences between Caucasian populations within Australia when segregated geographically. However segregation of Aboriginal
Australian population data along contemporary State and Territory lines appears to mask the diversity that exists within this subpopulation. For this
reason datasets collated along more traditional lines may be more appropriate, particularly to distinguish the most genetically differentiated
populations residing in the north of the continent.
