Prediction of consanguinity using human DNA fingerprints.

DNA fingerprinting was performed to verify the pedigree structure of a family under investigation for an unusual case of beta thalassaemia. A higher than expected proportion of hypervariable bands was shared by the proband and his mother, leading to suspicion that the child had been the product of a consanguineous mating. Further analysis of the mother's brother showed that he was almost certainly the proband's father.