G: See guanine.

Garnishment; Wage Assignment; Wage Attachment: A court order to a third party, usually an employer, requiring the employee's wages to be attached (automatically deducted from a paycheck) and assigned (paid) to another party, usually the mother.

Gel: A semi-solid matrix used in the electrophoretic separation of DNA and proteins. The two most commonly used in DNA testing are agarose and polyacrylamide.

Gene: The fundamental unit of heredity, most commonly thought of as a stretch of DNA sequence that codes for a specific protein. The individually variable stretches of DNA that are examined by forensic scientists are not considered genes by strict definitions of the gene. For simplicity the term gene is used throughout this text when referring to these DNA fragments.

Gene Frequency: see allele frequency.

Genetic Marker: An inherited (genetic) characteristic that can be recognized in a tested individual and is used in differentiating genetically related individuals from nonrelated individuals.

Genome: The total genetic complement of an organism as defined by one copy of the total DNA found in each of its cells.

Genotype: The genetic makeup of an individual consisting of both copies of the genetic information. The genotype is distinguished from the phenotype or physical characteristics of the individual. The pair of alleles at a locus or set of loci. Example: individuals who have type AB blood have the genotype AB, a person who has type A blood could have the Genotype AA or AO.

Guanine: An organic base, one of the four monomers or building blocks from which DNA is made.

Guardian ad Litem (GAL): A court-appointed individual who, for the purpose of pending litigation, puts himself in the shoes of a legally incompetent person such as a minor child. He also investigates the matter and files a report with the court.

Guidelines (Child Support): A standard method for calculating child support obligations based on the income of the parent(s) and other factors as determined by State law.