Relationship Testing Statistical Calculation Training - Module 2: Non-Parentage Kinship Calculations Course

Relationship Testing Statistical Calculation Training Module 2: Non-Parentage Calculations

This unique program seeks to educate laboratory scientists and forensic analysts on the statistical methods used to determine genetic parentage and other familial relationships.


Featuring self-paced, multi-media online training, this course includes four (4) units:

  • Unit 1: Introduction to Kinship Analysis: Calculation of the Kinship Index for Full Sibling Pairs
  • Unit 2: Second Degree Two Parties Kinship Testing: Half Siblings, Aunt/Uncle, Nephew/Niece and Grandparent and Grandchild. Reporting Results for Two Party Testing.
  • Unit 3: Grandparentage with Two Grandparents and Grandchild with and without the Mother
  • Unit 4: Testing with More than Two People in Sibling Relationships (Full and Half Siblings)

Practice exercise worksheets, downloadable MP3 audio files and a handout of each unit are also included within the course.

This course is part of the ongoing Relationship Testing Statistical Calculation Training series currently in development. Additional modules will be released, culminating in a comprehensive certificate program.

Course Goals

Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:

  • Discuss the derivation of the kinship index.
  • Perform two-party calculations for siblings, half-siblings, avuncular and single grandparentage.
  • Write a statement of the estimation of uncertainty for two-party kinship calculations.
  • Perform kinship calculations with three or more people.
  • Calculate the probability of relationship (W).

The course is expected to take approximately 6-8 hours to complete and can be taken asynchronously at the convenience of the learner.

Prerequisites

Learners should have the knowledge and ability to calculate basic parentage relationship statistics involving duos and trios.

Access & Pricing

This course is offered online as independent, self-paced study through AABB's Education Platform. After registering for the course, each learner will receive automatic access to the program. Access is granted for one year from the date of registration.

Fees

 Special Introductory Pricing
Individual/Member Price$229$204
Individual/List Price:$249$224
AABB Institutional Member:$229/person$204/person
Institutional Nonmember:$249/person$224/person

AABB reserves the right to end introductory pricing at any time.

Discount for Multiple Registrations:

  • Institutions will receive 15% off (20% for AABB Premium Corporate Members) when purchasing four (4) or more registrations. The price for each individual learner will be determined by the institution's AABB membership status (not each individual's membership status). Price per person for orders of 4 or more:
     Special Introductory Pricing
    AABB Premium Corporate Partner:$183/person$163/person
    AABB Institutional Member:$195/person$173/person
    Institutional Nonmember:$212/person$190/person

Quiz Retake Fee:
$39 (member/nonmember)
Contact the AABB eLearning team at eLearning@aabb.org to request the retake registration form.

How To Register

Individuals can register online via the AABB Store. Individuals will be prompted to create an account if they do not already have an established account in the Store. Payment confirmation will be provided immediately after registering.

Institutions that want to purchase registrations for learners must complete and return the Institutional Registration Form. Payment confirmation will be provided within 2-5 business days.

Educational Highlights

This foundational course provides material important in understanding the core statistical elements involved in parentage calculations. Each unit builds upon the prior unit and covers elements relevant to developing an overall understanding and foundation of parentage calculations.

Unit 1: Introduction to Kinship Analysis: Calculation of the Kinship Index for Full Sibling Pairs
Upon completion of this unit, a learner should be able to:

  • Discuss the degrees of biological relationships and the principles used in DNA-based kinship testing.
  • Perform two-party calculations to evaluate alleged full sibling relationships.

Unit 2: Second Degree Two Parties Kinship Testing: Half siblings, Aunt/Uncle, Nephew/Niece and Grandparent and Grandchild. Reporting Results for Two Party Testing.
Upon completion of this unit, a learner should be able to:

  • Describe second degree relationships.
  • Perform two-party calculations for half siblings, avuncular and single grandparent.
  • Write a statement of the estimation of uncertainty for two-party calculations when reporting results.

Unit 3: Grandparentage with Two Grandparents and Grandchild with and without the Mother
Upon completion of this unit, a learner should be able to:

  • Reconstruct a missing parent's genotype using his or her parents.
  • Perform Grandparentage calculations using both grandparents.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Grandparentage testing.

Unit 4: Testing with More than Two People in Sibling Relationships (Full and Half Siblings)
Upon completion of this unit, a learner should be able to:

  • Describe testing with an acknowledged (undisputed) parent when a sibling relationship is questioned.
  • Perform calculations to determine full and half sibling relationships with three or more parties.

Activities for Successful Completion of the Course

Read and study all materials for each unit and complete each activity as presented including the practice exercises. Since this is a self-paced program, learners may decide how much time is needed to review and study the materials. Follow the units in order as information builds upon preceding lessons.

For successful completion of the course resulting in the conferral of a certificate of completion:

  • Watch the video for each unit and complete the practice exercise worksheets provided.
  • After completing all units, a course quiz is provided. Answer all of the quiz questions; scoring 80% or higher (20 out of 25 questions to score 80%). The quiz is a pass/fail exercise where learners will have two (2) opportunities to achieve 80% or higher. There is no grade provided for the quiz; rather an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the content provided in the course. On the quiz:
    • Learners will receive quiz questions (i.e., multiple choice) and asked to select the correct answer.
    • Learners will receive feedback as to whether an answer choice is correct or incorrect.
  • Complete the Non-Parentage Kinship Calculations Post-Program Evaluation. This is your opportunity to share with AABB your experiences and recommendations to further enhance the program.
  • Claim continuing education (CE) credit type (CE certificate/Certificate of Completion issued).

CE Credits

This course is eligible for eight (8) continuing education credits/contact hours for California Nurses, California Lab Personnel, Florida Lab Personnel and General Participation credit. The number and type of credits awarded for this course was determined by the estimated program completion time. This course is not eligible for continuing medical education credit for physicians. For more information on each credit type please visit the AABB Continuing Education Credits webpage. A continuing education certificate/certificate of completion will be immediately provided to learners upon completing all four units, successful completion of the course quiz, completion of the program evaluation, and claiming your continuing education credit type. Learners will also be able to access the continuing education certificate/certificate of completion in the My Transcripts section of the AABB Education Platform.

Course Faculty & Contributors

This course is brought to you by the AABB Relationship Testing Accreditation Committee. While there are numerous participants that have brought this program to fruition, key faculty include (titles and affiliations at the time of program development):

Hristina Lekova, MS
Supervisor, Parentage and ID Department
Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office

John Peterson, PhD
Laboratory Director
DNA Diagnostics Center

George C. Maha, JD, PhD, MT(ASCP), A(ABHI)
Laboratory Director (retired)

AABB Staff Contributors:

Marsha Deitz, MBA, MLS (ASCP), CQA(ASQ)
Director, Relationship Testing and Forensics

Barbara Llewellyn, PhD, MS, MB(ASCP)CM, CQA(ASQ)
Program Manager, Relationship Testing