the assessment of the linkage relationship between two loci by the examination of data in pedigrees. The classic concern is with estimating recombination fractions and (because of its elasticity, efficiency, and other optimal properties) the preferred method is maximum likelihood estimation. However, there are other more modern concerns, notably determining the order of loci, testing for additive and interactive properties in the mapping function, and reconciling the pedigree data with evidence from other methods (e.g., cytogenetics, in situ hybridization studies, etc.).
