The article discusses the use of algebraic correction methods to improve the computational assessment of clone overlaps in DNA fingerprint mapping. The Sulston score, a widely used metric for probabilistic evaluation of clone overlaps, is known to systematically over-predict match probabilities. The authors propose a straightforward algebraic correction procedure that takes the Sulston score as a provisional value and applies a power-law equation to obtain an improved result. Numerical comparisons show that this method significantly increases accuracy over the range of parameters typical of traditional agarose fingerprint mapping. The correction is marginally more computationally expensive than the raw Sulston score but provides a much improved probabilistic description of hypothesized clone overlaps, which is crucial for overlap assessment and other tasks such as clone ordering. The authors also discuss the limitations and potential issues with extrapolating the method to newer capillary electrophoresis-based projects.The article discusses the use of algebraic correction methods to improve the computational assessment of clone overlaps in DNA fingerprint mapping. The Sulston score, a widely used metric for probabilistic evaluation of clone overlaps, is known to systematically over-predict match probabilities. The authors propose a straightforward algebraic correction procedure that takes the Sulston score as a provisional value and applies a power-law equation to obtain an improved result. Numerical comparisons show that this method significantly increases accuracy over the range of parameters typical of traditional agarose fingerprint mapping. The correction is marginally more computationally expensive than the raw Sulston score but provides a much improved probabilistic description of hypothesized clone overlaps, which is crucial for overlap assessment and other tasks such as clone ordering. The authors also discuss the limitations and potential issues with extrapolating the method to newer capillary electrophoresis-based projects.