Parentage Verification using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS)

As with STRs, the basis is the same. However, more genetic markers are tested because the information content per markers is lower for SNPs.

The genetic variation which is present in an animal, originates from both parents. Half of the variation is originating from the father, whereas the other half comes from the mother.

For parentage verification, typically 200 up to 400 genetic characteristics are visualized. In this process the actual genetic composition (A,C,G, or T) is being measured. The composition/variant  in an offspring must correspond to the composition/variant in the mother and father that were provided for comparison. In two examples, it is shown how the basic rules are applied in parentage verification.

In the above table an example is provided of a correct parentage. In this table, the DNA is shown of three individuals: an offspring (left column), a potential mother (middle column), and a potential father (right columns). In each line one variant is shown. In this case all variants in the offspring are present in the parents: the parentage is correct.

In the second table an example is provided of an incorrect parentage. In this table, the DNA is shown of three individuals: an offspring (left column), a potential mother (middle column), and a potential father (right columns). In each line one variant is shown. In this case several variants are present in the offspring which are not are present in the parents: the parentage is not correct.

When 200 up to 400 different genetic fragments are checked, the chance that an incorrect parentage is not detected becomes very small. The genetic fragments which are used for parentage verification and identification provide no information on properties such as color and quality of an animal, plant or human, since the fragments are non-coding.