In forensic paternity testing, an alleged father shows a genotype of 12,15 at a microsatellite locus; the child is 15,18 and the mother is 12,18. Which statement correctly interprets the genetic evidence?
- A The alleged father cannot be excluded because allele 15 is consistent with the child's paternal contribution ✓
- B The alleged father is excluded because neither of his alleles matches the child's paternal allele
- C The alleged father is excluded because allele 18 is absent from his profile
- D The mother is excluded because she could not have contributed allele 18 to the child
Correct answer: A. The alleged father cannot be excluded because allele 15 is consistent with the child's paternal contribution
Explanation
The child received allele 18 from the mother (mother is 12,18) and allele 15 as the paternal contribution. The alleged father carries allele 15, so he cannot be excluded at this locus. Exclusion requires that the obligate paternal allele (15 in this case) is absent from the alleged father's profile. Allele 18 being absent from the alleged father is irrelevant because the child received 18 maternally.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
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