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Forensic DNA Transfer provides a guide to the recognition and
current understanding of DNA transfer in forensic criminal
investigations. Increased improvements in technology mean that it
is now routinely possible to obtain DNA profiles from non-visible
deposits. How or when the DNA in question was deposited may be an
issue in the context of the case, especially if the donor of the
DNA is not in dispute. A DNA profile alone cannot reveal when or
how that DNA was deposited at a crime scene, nor can it reveal the
body matter from which it originated. Issues of transfer associated
with activities may be debated—which the traditional
discrimination purpose of DNA profiling cannot address. DNA may be
everywhere and anywhere—in homes, workplaces, transport, and on
personal items including clothing. DNA from a person may be on an
object they have never contacted or in a room they have never
entered. Concepts discussed in the book include non-self DNA on
hands through day-to-day activities, the prevalence of background
DNA in the environment and perhaps on the exhibit, the persistence
of any DNA transferred, and that a DNA result will depend on these
variables as well as recovery techniques. Since DNA may be
transferred to an exhibit: (a) during the commission of a crime,
(b) before the crime, and/or (c) after the crime through handling,
examination, and testing, this text covers various transfer
pathways and sources of DNA. Inadvertent issues of transfer of DNA
resulting in wrongful convictions and the misleading of
investigations are discussed, with an emphasis on contamination
mitigation. Forensic DNA Transfer examines the additional
complexity resulting from non-visible deposits of DNA that impact
on sampling and testing regimes. The changing understanding of the
composition of purported "touch DNA" deposits from the skin,
including extracellular DNA transported via body secretions is
described. Further, the newer focus on interpreting DNA
evidence—using activity level propositions and the rationale and
associated issues—is also discussed.
Forensic DNA Transfer provides a guide to the recognition and
current understanding of DNA transfer in forensic criminal
investigations. Increased improvements in technology mean that it
is now routinely possible to obtain DNA profiles from non-visible
deposits. How or when the DNA in question was deposited may be an
issue in the context of the case, especially if the donor of the
DNA is not in dispute. A DNA profile alone cannot reveal when or
how that DNA was deposited at a crime scene, nor can it reveal the
body matter from which it originated. Issues of transfer associated
with activities may be debated—which the traditional
discrimination purpose of DNA profiling cannot address. DNA may be
everywhere and anywhere—in homes, workplaces, transport, and on
personal items including clothing. DNA from a person may be on an
object they have never contacted or in a room they have never
entered. Concepts discussed in the book include non-self DNA on
hands through day-to-day activities, the prevalence of background
DNA in the environment and perhaps on the exhibit, the persistence
of any DNA transferred, and that a DNA result will depend on these
variables as well as recovery techniques. Since DNA may be
transferred to an exhibit: (a) during the commission of a crime,
(b) before the crime, and/or (c) after the crime through handling,
examination, and testing, this text covers various transfer
pathways and sources of DNA. Inadvertent issues of transfer of DNA
resulting in wrongful convictions and the misleading of
investigations are discussed, with an emphasis on contamination
mitigation. Forensic DNA Transfer examines the additional
complexity resulting from non-visible deposits of DNA that impact
on sampling and testing regimes. The changing understanding of the
composition of purported "touch DNA" deposits from the skin,
including extracellular DNA transported via body secretions is
described. Further, the newer focus on interpreting DNA
evidence—using activity level propositions and the rationale and
associated issues—is also discussed.
Interpreting Complex Forensic DNA Evidence is a handy guide to
recent advances-and emerging issues-in interpreting complex DNA
evidence and profiles for use in criminal investigations. In
certain cases, DNA cannot be connected to a specific biological
material such as blood, semen or saliva. How or when the DNA was
deposited may be an issue. The possibility of generating DNA
profiles from touched objects, where there may not be a visible
deposit, has expanded the scope and number of exhibits submitted
for DNA analysis. With such advances, and increasing improvements
in technological capabilities in testing samples, this means it is
possible to detect ever smaller amounts of DNA. There are also many
efforts underway to seek was to interpret DNA profiles that are
sub-optimal-either relative to the amount required by the testing
kit and, potentially, the quality of the obtained sample.
Laboratories often use enhancements in order to obtain a readable
DNA profile. The broad-reaching implications of improving DNA
sensitivity have led to this next, emerging generation of more
complex profiles. Examples partial profiles that do not faithfully
reflect the proposed donor, or mixtures of partial DNA from
multiple people. A complexity threshold has been proposed to limit
interpretation of poor-quality data. Research is now addressing the
interpretation of transfer of trace amounts of DNA. Complex issues
are arising in trial that need to be reconciled as such complexity
has added challenges to the interpretation of evidence and its
introduction or dismissal in certain cases in the courts. Key
Features: Addresses DNA transfer, from person-to-person as well as
to objects Outlines each stage required to produce a DNA profile
from an exhibit-including collection, handling, storage, and
analysis Discusses ethics, subjectivity, and bias-including
cognitive dissonance-as they relate specifically to complex DNA
evidence Highlights current techniques and the latest advances in
DNA analysis, including advances in familial DNA searches
Interpreting Complex Forensic DNA Evidence provides tools to assist
the criminal investigator, forensic expert, and legal professional
when posed with a DNA result in a forensic report or testimony. The
result-and any associated statistic-may not reveal any ambiguity,
complexity, or the assumptions involved in deriving it. Questions
from resolved criminal cases are posed, and the relevant forensic
literature, provided for the reader to assess a DNA result and any
associated statistic. Case studies throughout illustrate concepts
and emphasize the need for conclusions in the forensic report that
are supported by the data.
When a crime or other incident takes place, clothing items are
often present or left behind, and can become directly involved in
the case itself. Items of clothing are thus one of the most common
types of exhibit examined in court. They can provide valuable
information in cases of violent crimes, such as homicide or rape,
as well as in burglary, robbery, arson, and vehicular accidents. A
unique reference in the forensic arena The first of its kind,
Scientific Protocols for Forensic Examination of Clothing discusses
the forensic examination of clothing in criminal cases. It examines
the ramifications of DNA profiling and its effect on the screening
approach to clothing examination. Coverage includes protocols and
procedures, preliminary assessment, examination, testing and
sampling, quality assurance and control, and the significance of
results. Applicable to a myriad of readers Suitable for a wide
range of readers, this book is designed for examiners trying to
decide how to approach a clothing examination, those looking for
more information on a specific topic, laboratory quality assurance
officers in need of a reliable reference, as well as attorneys,
investigators, archaeologists, and curators. Expert authors Author
Jane Moira Taupin has testified as a forensic expert more than 130
times. Chesterene Cwiklik is a founder of the Pacific Coast
Forensic Science Institute. Their expertise makes this a valuable
resource for all those who examine clothing items and interpret
subsequent findings.
The use of DNA profiling in forensic cases has been considered the
most innovative technique in forensic science since fingerprinting,
yet for those with limited scientific knowledge, understanding DNA
enough to utilize it properly can be a daunting task. Introduction
to Forensic DNA Evidence for Criminal Justice Professionals is
designed for nonscientific readers who need to learn how to
effectively use forensic DNA in criminal cases. Written by a
forensic scientist world renowned for her expertise in clothing
examination, the book provides a balanced perspective on the weight
of DNA evidence. Going beyond a simple explanation of the
methodology, it arms attorneys and other criminal justice
professionals with knowledge of the strengths and limitations of
the evidence, including the danger in relying on DNA statistical
probabilities in the determination of guilt. The book covers the
most common DNA methods used in criminal trials today-nuclear DNA
short tandem repeat (STR) techniques, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-STR
profiling. It helps prosecutors know when to emphasize DNA evidence
or proceed with trial in the absence of such evidence. It assists
defense lawyers in knowing when to challenge DNA evidence and
perhaps employ an independent expert, when to focus elsewhere, or
when to secure the advantage of an early guilty plea. By imparting
practical and theoretical knowledge in an accessible manner, the
book demystifies the topic to help both sides of the adversarial
system understand where DNA evidence fits within the context of the
case.
Using Forensic DNA Evidence at Trial: A Case Study Approach covers
the most common DNA analysis methods used in criminal trials today,
including STR techniques, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-STRs. It
presents some novel techniques including familial testing and
analyzing domestic animal hair that have been recently introduced
in unique cases, each of which is outlined in detail. It also
illustrates special issues related to forensic DNA evidence by
using court proceedings such as trials and appeals, commissions of
inquiry, and government and laboratory reviews. With forensic DNA
analysis becoming increasingly important at trial, the lively and
sometimes bizarre cases presented in this book have been carefully
chosen to highlight specific concepts, methods, and interpretations
used in DNA analysis. Sections throughout examine the nature of
expertise with a special focus on the role of subjectivity in the
interpretation of forensic DNA evidence, emphasizing cognitive bias
and extraneous context. Using both convictions and exonerations as
examples, the book also discusses the strengths and limitations of
DNA evidence and testing. The book is written in an accessible
manner for the non-scientific reader, such that criminal lawyers,
judges, and forensic experts will all understand the nature of
analysis and application of DNA evidence in a variety of court
cases. Extensive references including notable trial proceedings,
cross references of cases, and specific forensic statistics round
out the book and help to provide a complete understanding of
forensic DNA analysis and its current usage in the courtroom.
The use of DNA profiling in forensic cases has been considered the
most innovative technique in forensic science since fingerprinting,
yet for those with limited scientific knowledge, understanding DNA
enough to utilize it properly can be a daunting task. Introduction
to Forensic DNA Evidence for Criminal Justice Professionals is
designed for nonscientific readers who need to learn how to
effectively use forensic DNA in criminal cases. Written by a
forensic scientist world renowned for her expertise in clothing
examination, the book provides a balanced perspective on the weight
of DNA evidence. Going beyond a simple explanation of the
methodology, it arms attorneys and other criminal justice
professionals with knowledge of the strengths and limitations of
the evidence, including the danger in relying on DNA statistical
probabilities in the determination of guilt. The book covers the
most common DNA methods used in criminal trials today nuclear DNA
short tandem repeat (STR) techniques, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-STR
profiling. It helps prosecutors know when to emphasize DNA evidence
or proceed with trial in the absence of such evidence. It assists
defense lawyers in knowing when to challenge DNA evidence and
perhaps employ an independent expert, when to focus elsewhere, or
when to secure the advantage of an early guilty plea. By imparting
practical and theoretical knowledge in an accessible manner, the
book demystifies the topic to help both sides of the adversarial
system understand where DNA evidence fits within the context of the
case.
Using Forensic DNA Evidence at Trial: A Case Study Approach covers
the most common DNA analysis methods used in criminal trials today,
including STR techniques, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-STRs. It
presents some novel techniques-including familial testing and
analyzing domestic animal hair-that have been recently introduced
in unique cases, each of which is outlined in detail. It also
illustrates special issues related to forensic DNA evidence by
using court proceedings such as trials and appeals, commissions of
inquiry, and government and laboratory reviews. With forensic DNA
analysis becoming increasingly important at trial, the lively and
sometimes bizarre cases presented in this book have been carefully
chosen to highlight specific concepts, methods, and interpretations
used in DNA analysis. Sections throughout examine the nature of
expertise with a special focus on the role of subjectivity in the
interpretation of forensic DNA evidence, emphasizing cognitive bias
and extraneous context. Using both convictions and exonerations as
examples, the book also discusses the strengths and limitations of
DNA evidence and testing. The book is written in an accessible
manner for the non-scientific reader, such that criminal lawyers,
judges, and forensic experts will all understand the nature of
analysis and application of DNA evidence in a variety of court
cases. Extensive references-including notable trial proceedings,
cross references of cases, and specific forensic statistics-round
out the book and help to provide a complete understanding of
forensic DNA analysis and its current usage in the courtroom.
Interpreting Complex Forensic DNA Evidence is a handy guide to
recent advances-and emerging issues-in interpreting complex DNA
evidence and profiles for use in criminal investigations. In
certain cases, DNA cannot be connected to a specific biological
material such as blood, semen or saliva. How or when the DNA was
deposited may be an issue. The possibility of generating DNA
profiles from touched objects, where there may not be a visible
deposit, has expanded the scope and number of exhibits submitted
for DNA analysis. With such advances, and increasing improvements
in technological capabilities in testing samples, this means it is
possible to detect ever smaller amounts of DNA. There are also many
efforts underway to seek was to interpret DNA profiles that are
sub-optimal-either relative to the amount required by the testing
kit and, potentially, the quality of the obtained sample.
Laboratories often use enhancements in order to obtain a readable
DNA profile. The broad-reaching implications of improving DNA
sensitivity have led to this next, emerging generation of more
complex profiles. Examples partial profiles that do not faithfully
reflect the proposed donor, or mixtures of partial DNA from
multiple people. A complexity threshold has been proposed to limit
interpretation of poor-quality data. Research is now addressing the
interpretation of transfer of trace amounts of DNA. Complex issues
are arising in trial that need to be reconciled as such complexity
has added challenges to the interpretation of evidence and its
introduction or dismissal in certain cases in the courts. Key
Features: Addresses DNA transfer, from person-to-person as well as
to objects Outlines each stage required to produce a DNA profile
from an exhibit-including collection, handling, storage, and
analysis Discusses ethics, subjectivity, and bias-including
cognitive dissonance-as they relate specifically to complex DNA
evidence Highlights current techniques and the latest advances in
DNA analysis, including advances in familial DNA searches
Interpreting Complex Forensic DNA Evidence provides tools to assist
the criminal investigator, forensic expert, and legal professional
when posed with a DNA result in a forensic report or testimony. The
result-and any associated statistic-may not reveal any ambiguity,
complexity, or the assumptions involved in deriving it. Questions
from resolved criminal cases are posed, and the relevant forensic
literature, provided for the reader to assess a DNA result and any
associated statistic. Case studies throughout illustrate concepts
and emphasize the need for conclusions in the forensic report that
are supported by the data.
When a crime or other incident takes place, clothing items are
often present or left behind, and can become directly involved in
the case itself. Items of clothing are thus one of the most common
types of exhibit examined in court. They can provide valuable
information in cases of violent crimes, such as homicide or rape,
as well as in burglary, robbery, arson, and vehicular accidents. A
unique reference in the forensic arena The first of its kind,
Scientific Protocols for Forensic Examination of Clothing discusses
the forensic examination of clothing in criminal cases. It examines
the ramifications of DNA profiling and its effect on the screening
approach to clothing examination. Coverage includes protocols and
procedures, preliminary assessment, examination, testing and
sampling, quality assurance and control, and the significance of
results. Applicable to a myriad of readers Suitable for a wide
range of readers, this book is designed for examiners trying to
decide how to approach a clothing examination, those looking for
more information on a specific topic, laboratory quality assurance
officers in need of a reliable reference, as well as attorneys,
investigators, archaeologists, and curators. Expert authors Author
Jane Moira Taupin has testified as a forensic expert more than 130
times. Chesterene Cwiklik is a founder of the Pacific Coast
Forensic Science Institute. Their expertise makes this a valuable
resource for all those who examine clothing items and interpret
subsequent findings.
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