A Guide to Forensic DNA Profiling

"The increasingly arcane world of DNA profiling demands that those needing to understand at least some of it must find a source of reliable and understandable information. Combining material from the successful Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science with newly commissioned and updated material, the Editors have used their own extensive experience in criminal casework across the world to compile an informative guide that will provide knowledge and thought-provoking articles of interest to anyone involved or interested in the use of DNA in the forensic context. Following extensive introductory chapters covering forensic DNA profiling and forensic genetics, this comprehensive volume presents a substantial breadth of material covering: Fundamental material - including sources of DNA, validation, and accreditation Analysis and interpretation - including, extraction, quantification, amplification and interpretation of electropherograms (epgs) Evaluation - including mixtures, low template, and transfer Applications - databases, paternity and kinship, mitochondrial-DNA, wildlife DNA, single-nucleotide polymorphism, phenotyping and familial searching Court - report writing, discovery, cross examination, and current controversies With contributions from leading experts across the whole gamut of forensic science, this volume is intended to be authoritative but not authoritarian, informative but comprehensible, and comprehensive but concise. It will prove to be a valuable addition, and useful resource, for scientists, lawyers, teachers, criminologists, and judges"-- "The increasingly arcane world of DNA profiling demands that those needing to understand at least some of it must find a source of reliable and understandable information. Combining material from the successful Encyclopedia of Forensic Science with newly commissioned and updated material, the Editors have used their own extensive experience in criminal casework across the world to compile an informative guide that will provide knowledge and thought-provoking articles of interest to anyone involved or interested in the use of DNA in the forensic context. Following extensive introductory chapters covering forensic DNA profiling and forensic genetics, this comprehensive volume presents a substantial breadth of material covering: - Fundamental material -- including sources of DNA, validation, and accreditation - Analysis and interpretation -- including, extraction, quantification, amplification and interpretation of electropherograms (epgs) - Evaluation -- including mixtures, low template, and transfer - Applications -- databases, paternity and kinship, mitochondrial-DNA, wildlife DNA, single-nucleotide polymorphism, phenotyping and familial searching - Court - report writing, discovery, cross examination, and current controversies"-- Cover 1 Title Page 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Contributors 11 Foreword 15 Preface 17 Glossary 19 Abbreviations and Acronyms 23 PART A Background 27 Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Genetics 29 Chapter 2 DNA: An Overview 35 Chapter 3 DNA 55 Chapter 4 Introduction to Forensic DNA Profiling - The Electropherogram (epg) 63 Chapter 5 Biological Stains 77 Chapter 6 Sources of DNA 85 Chapter 7 Identification and Individualization 95 Chapter 8 Transfer 99 Chapter 9 Laboratory Accreditation 105 Chapter 10 Validation 111 PART B Analysis & Interpretation 123 Chapter 11 Extraction 125 Chapter 12 Quantitation 133 Chapter 13 Amplification 141 Chapter 14 Interpretation of Mixtures; Graphical 145 Chapter 15 DNA Mixture Interpretation 159 Chapter 16 Degraded Samples 167 Chapter 17 Ceiling Principle: DNA 173 Chapter 18 Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeats 175 Chapter 19 Expert Systems in DNA Interpretation 181 Chapter 20 Paternity Testing 189 Chapter 21 Observer Effects 197 PART C Applications 201 Chapter 22 Databases 203 Chapter 23 Missing Persons and Paternity: DNA 211 Chapter 24 Familial Searching 221 Chapter 25 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism 231 Chapter 26 Mini-STRs 249 Chapter 27 Phenotype 255 Chapter 28 Mitochondrial DNA: Profiling 271 Chapter 29 Geographical Identification by Viral Genotyping 277 Chapter 30 Microbial Forensics 285 Chapter 31 Wildlife Crime 297 PART D Court 303 Chapter 32 DNA Databases-The Significance of Unique Hits and the Database Controversy 305 Chapter 33 DNA Databases and Evidentiary Issues 313 Chapter 34 Communicating Probabilistic Forensic Evidence in Court 323 Chapter 35 Report Writing for Courts 335 Chapter 36 Discovery of Expert Findings 341 Chapter 37 Ethical Rules of Expert Behavior 349 Chapter 38 Verbal Scales: A Legal Perspective 355 Chapter 39 Direct Examination of Experts 361 Chapter 40 Cross-Examination of Experts 365 Chapter 41 DNA in the UK Courts 369 Chapter 42 Legal Issues with Forensic DNA in the USA 381 Chapter 43 Issues in Forensic DNA 395 Chapter 44 Future Technologies and Challenges 407 Index 419 EULA 441 The increasingly arcane world of DNA profiling demands that those needing to understand at least some of it must find a source of reliable and understandable information. Combining material from the successful __Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science__ with newly commissioned and updated material, the Editors have used their own extensive experience in criminal casework across the world to compile an informative guide that will provide knowledge and thought-provoking articles of interest to anyone involved or interested in the use of DNA in the forensic context. Following extensive introductory chapters covering forensic DNA profiling and forensic genetics, this comprehensive volume presents a substantial breadth of material covering: * Fundamental material – including sources of DNA, validation, and accreditation * Analysis and interpretation – including, extraction, quantification, amplification and interpretation of electropherograms (epgs) * Evaluation – including mixtures, low template, and transfer * Applications – databases, paternity and kinship, mitochondrial-DNA, wildlife DNA, single-nucleotide polymorphism, phenotyping and familial searching * Court - report writing, discovery, cross examination, and current controversies With contributions from leading experts across the whole gamut of forensic science, this volume is intended to be authoritative but not authoritarian, informative but comprehensible, and comprehensive but concise. It will prove to be a valuable addition, and useful resource, for scientists, lawyers, teachers, criminologists, and judges. A Guide to Forensic DNA Profiling A Guide to Forensic DNA Profiling The increasingly arcane world of DNA profiling demands that those requiring to understand at least some of it must find a source of reliable and understandable information. Combining material from the successful Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science with newly commissioned and updated material, the Editors have used their own extensive experience in criminal casework across the world to compile an informative guide that will provide knowledge and thought-provoking articles of interest to anyone involved or interested in the use of DNA in the forensic context. Following extensive introductory chapters covering forensic DNA profiling and forensic genetics, this comprehensive volume presents a substantial breadth of material With contributions from leading experts across the whole gamut of forensic science, this volume is intended to be authoritative but not authoritarian, informative but comprehensible, and comprehensive but concise. It will prove to be a valuable addition, and a useful resource, for scientists, lawyers, teachers, criminologists, and judges.