Assessing DNA Profiling Success Rates: Need for More and Better Collection of Relevant Data

Abstract

Enhanced casework outcomes and laboratory management efficiencies could be achieved through a greater awareness of DNA profiling success rates of different samples within your laboratory and are of even more value if you are able to compare them with those of other laboratories. There is, however, very little data readily available, and the details concerning factors that may influence success rates are rarely provided. This prevents making such comparisons, and thus laboratory managers and investigators are restricted in making educated decisions regarding sample prioritization, sample targeting, methodology application choices, training needs, and future research directions and opportunities. This article advocates the implementation of programs to collect relevant data to enable comparison of DNA profiling success rates within and among laboratories and the consideration of forensic governing bodies to facilitate the implementation of a shared register to accommodate this.

Keywords:

• forensic
• DNA
• profiling
• data collection
• success rate
• forensic management

Acknowledgment

The author would like to thank Kaye Ballantyne, Jennifer Raymond, and John Mitchell for their helpful comments during the preparation of this manuscript.