Investigating a common approach to DNA profile interpretation using probabilistic software

Stuart Cooper; Catherine McGovern; Jo-Anne Bright; Duncan Taylor; John Buckleton

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2014.12.009

Investigating a common approach to DNA profile interpretation using probabilistic software

Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2015 May:16:121-131. doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2014.12.009. Epub 2014 Dec 26.

Authors

Stuart Cooper¹, Catherine McGovern², Jo-Anne Bright², Duncan Taylor³, John Buckleton²

Affiliations

¹ ESR, Private Bag 92021, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. Electronic address: [email protected].
² ESR, Private Bag 92021, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
³ Forensic Science South Australia, 21 Divett Place, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

PMID: 25596557
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2014.12.009

Abstract

Recently there has been a drive for standardisation of DNA profile interpretation within and between different forensic laboratories. The continuous interpretation software STRmix™ has been adopted for use by laboratories in Australia and New Zealand for profile interpretation. Within this paper we examine the concordance in profile interpretation of three crime samples by twenty different analysts across twelve different international laboratories using STRmix™. The three profiles selected for this study exhibited a range of template and complexity. The use of probabilistic software has compelled a level of concordance between different analysts however there remain differences within profile interpretation, particularly with the objective assignment of the number of contributors to profiles.

Keywords: Forensic DNA interpretation; Mixed DNA profile; STRmix™; Standardisation.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

DNA / genetics*
Humans
Probability*
Software*

Substances

DNA