MaSTR Online Help : Analyzing DNA Mixtures in MaSTR : Reviewing and Working With a Completed DNA Analysis : To review the analysis data and results : Analysis Information page, Continuous tab
Analysis Information page, Continuous tab
From top to bottom, the Continuous tab on the Analysis Information page details the following information for the analysis results:
• Ratio plots: The summary of the sampled ratio values for each contributor shown in four plots, which, from left to right, are: Trace, Aggregate, Approximation of Actual Values, and Convergence.
• Degradation Variable plots: The MCMC process considers degradation when calculating probability. The Degradation Variable plots show the values for the four degradation variables: amount, A, D, and mu_A in four plots, which, from left to right, are: Trace, Aggregate, Approximation of Actual Values, and Convergence.
 
Variable
Definition
amount
The amount Variable plot scales all peak (signal) heights for a locus from a relative height to an absolute height. All expected peak heights therefore have real values (645, 992, 82, and so on) instead of relative values (0.5375, 0.8267, 0.0725, and so on).
A
The Relative Locus Height Variable plot, organized by dye channel to ensure individual visibility, scales all the loci relative to a single locus, where there is one value for each marker. The value for one marker is set to 1.0 and the values for all other markers are set relative to this marker. Because some markers can be amplified more efficiently or less efficiently than other markers, the “A” variable allows for each marker to have a different peak height, given some number of copies of an allele and all other factors being equal.
Note: No Degradation Variable plots are shown for the 1.0 marker; however, the associated statistical values and convergence value are detailed in the Stats & Convergence table that is displayed below the Degradation Variable plots.
D
The Degradation Factor Variable plot scales down the peak (signal) heights of larger alleles, with a different amount of scaling per contributor. The D variable has one value per contributor, and in the calculations, linear or exponential degradation is dependent on molecular weight.
mu_A
The mu_A Variable plot displays the average value of A, where “A” is the relative locus height.
• Stats & Convergence table: Details the statistical values and convergence value for every Degradation Variable plot.