FAP: an exclusion-based parental assignment program with enhanced predictive functions

In molecular-based parentage analyses, the accurate prediction of resolving power for a panel of loci is important for the critical assessment of results. A DOS-based computer program, FAP ( Family Analysis Program), is described that calculates exclusion-based family assignment probabilities within family mixtures where all parental genotypes are known. Three levels of hierarchy can be explored ( sample, groups of families, individual families). The package also provides useful aids to identify problematic loci/misscoring during actual assignment. FAP is available for free download from http://www.aqua.stir.ac.uk/rep-general/downloads. html.