branches on the family tree: either male (Y chromosomal) or female (mitochondrial)

association of a particular gene with a particular family inheritance

Seeming to have the same markers as another person, expressed as a very low Random Match Probability or very high Match Likelihood.

American ethnic type

Repeated sequence of chemicals. Different numbers of repeats produce one's alleles, or DNA test scores.

Read the Wikipedia article and visit links on the subject.

Spread of female lineages as determined by mitochondrial haplogroups out of Africa into the other continents. See World Migrations Map.

The study of similarities and differences in the anatomy or appearance of humans

A sequencing approach that uses several pooled samples simultaneously, greatly increasing sequencing speed and lowering the cost of DNA testing.

A change in a DNA sequence, either spontaneous within a generation or inherited, sometimes from a very distant ancestor. Mutations usually do not affect our health or cause any differences in our appearance. In other words, they are not genes proper and do not "code" for new proteins. As "junk DNA," however, they are useful in tracing lineages.

Also known as "junk DNA"

A building block of DNA or RNA. It includes one base, one phosphate molecule, and one sugar molecule (deoxyribose in DNA, ribose in RNA).

Collection of population frequencies from scientific journals, created by Brian Burritt of the San Diego Police Department. DNA Testing Systems supports its development and maintains the most current version.

A gene, one or more forms of which is associated with cancer. Many oncogenes are involved, directly or indirectly, in controlling the rate of cell growth.

The polymerase chain reaction, a quick and easy method for generating unlimited copies of any fragment of DNA. Used to multiply your sample for lab processing.

The general appearance of a person without reference to its underlying or scientific characteristics; in the past, associating appearance with a person's character.