Is peak height important for the statistical evaluation of the weight of evidence in DNA mixtures?

To highlight the impact of peak height analysis on the inference to be drawn from typical, two persons mixtures (2PMs), a number of real high-quality - either "balanced" or "unbalanced" - 2PMs were subjected to a classical statistical analysis based on the likelihood of a known contributor to be therein. We calculated a LR value based on the genetic markers belonging to a real contributor (S1) and to a number of false but compatible suspects using a discrete/semi-continuous method (as implemented in a shareware of widespread adoption[LR-mix Studio]) and a quantitative approach of our own conception (built into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet). Quantitative information conferred by the height of the peaks was irrelevant in the case of "balanced" mixtures but played a key role in eliciting correct inference from "unbalanced" 2PMs. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.