1. A computer-implemented method of selecting and typing a subset of available family members for DNA profiling to a missing person to identify or exclude a typed unknown biological specimen for implementation on computer apparatus comprising a processor, an input device coupled to the processor, an output device coupled to the processor and a memory for storing profile data obtained from said typed unknown biological specimen coupled to the processor, the method comprising: (a) storing relationships in said memory between said missing person and said available family members in a pedigree via said input device; (b) using the relative discriminating power of the pedigree with at least two combinations of said available family members to select a combination of available family members for DNA typing; (c) using a selected DNA typing technology for typing the selected combination of available family members to obtain DNA profile data and storing said DNA profile data for said selected combination in said memory; (d) using the pedigree and said stored DNA profile data of said selected combination to calculate a likelihood function value between the stored profile data obtained from said typed unknown biological specimen and said stored profile data for said selected combination of available family members via said processor; and (e) outputting a decision whether said typed unknown biological specimen originates from said missing person and said pedigree or to exclude said typed unknown biological specimen as unrelated to the pedigree.