DNA Testing in the Forensic Laboratory

HISTORY AND SCIENCE OF FORENSIC DNA TESTING BY: Paul Couenhoven

Increasing the forensic discrimination of mitochondrial DNA testing through analysis of the entire mitochondrial DNA genome.

The principal limitation in forensic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing is the low power of discrimination that is obtained when common "mtDNA types" are involved in a case. Currently, an "mtDNA type" refers to the sequence within hypervariable regions I and II (HV1/HV2) of the control region, approximately 610 bp. In Caucasians, the most common HV1/HV2 type is found in approximately 7% of the p...

Interpreting quantitative cytomegalovirus DNA testing: understanding the laboratory perspective.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients, and is typically monitored using laboratory-developed quantitative molecular assays. Clinicians who use quantitative CMV DNA testing should be aware of a number of aspects of testing that will aid in decision making while managing CMV disease in their patients. These include (1) the specimen type used...

Forensic Testing Program

This test was sent to 245 participants. Each sample set contained a bolt cutter (Item 1) and two padlocks containing questioned toolmarks (Items 2 and 3). Participants were requested to examine these items and report their findings. Data were returned from 202 participants (82% response rate) and are compiled into the following tables: Page 2 Manufacturer's Information 3 Summary Comments 4 Tabl...

Forensic Testing Program

This test was sent to 173 participants. Each sample pack consisted of a questioned employment offer letter provided by employer Safe Haven Home Insurance (Q1) and a photocopy of the employment offer letter made by the employee at the time it was signed (K1). Participants were requested to analyze the questioned original letter to determine if the employee's contention that the document is not g...