Title Page -- Copyright -- Table of Contents -- Contributors -- Foreword -- Preface -- Glossary -- Abbreviations and Acronyms -- Part A: Background -- Chapter 1: Introduction to Forensic Genetics -- The Ideal Forensic Material-Individualization -- DNA-The Molecule -- DNA in Populations -- The Scientific Expert -- Forensic DNA -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 2: DNA: An Overview -- History of DNA Profiling -- STR Analysis -- DNA Extraction -- DNA Quantification -- DNA Profile Interpretation -- Low Template DNA Profiling -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 3: DNA -- Introduction -- Fundamental Human Anatomy -- Fundamental Genetics -- Fundamental Molecular Biology -- Summary -- References -- Related Articles -- Chapter 4: Introduction to Forensic DNA Profiling - The Electropherogram (epg) -- Notation and Descriptions of Profiles -- Separation -- The Kit -- Relative Fluorescence Units, Peak Height, and Peak Area -- Controls -- References -- Chapter 5: Biological Stains -- Introduction -- Locating Potential Biological Material -- Other Body Fluids and Secretions -- Trace Biological Material -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 6: Sources of DNA -- Introduction -- Blood -- The Vaginal Tract -- Semen -- Trace DNA -- Low Copy Number and Single Cells -- Saliva -- Fingernails -- Fingerprints -- Hair -- Teeth and Bone -- Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Samples -- Fecal Material -- Unusual Sources -- Plant Material as Forensic Evidence -- Summary -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 7: Identification and Individualization -- Identity, Identification, and Individualization -- DNA Evidence and Individualization -- Uniqueness -- Reporting Identification Evidence in Court -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 8: Transfer -- Introduction.

Transfer of Trace DNA -- Factors Affecting the Detection of Transferred DNA -- Evaluation of DNA Transfer in Forensic Casework -- Potential Contamination Issues -- Conclusion -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 9: Laboratory Accreditation -- Introduction and Background -- Accreditation -- Accreditation Schemes -- ISO17025 -- Accreditation in the Forensic Context -- Defense Expert Accreditation -- Conclusion -- End Notes -- References -- Chapter 10: Validation -- Introduction -- Validation Defined -- Types of Validations -- Governing Bodies and Guidelines -- Internal Validations Process -- Sample Selection -- Sample Size -- Setting Thresholds -- Performance Checks and Material Modifications -- Challenges of Validation Process -- Testimony and Training -- References -- Further Reading -- Related Articles -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Part B: Analysis & Interpretation -- Chapter 11: Extraction -- Introduction -- Differential Extraction -- Solid-Phase Extraction Technologies -- Solutions for Specific Sample Types -- Contamination -- Automated Extraction -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 12: Quantitation -- Introduction -- Background -- Principles of Real-Time PCR -- Quantitation of Low-Level DNA Analysis -- References -- Chapter 13: Amplification -- References -- Chapter 14: Interpretation of Mixtures -- Graphical -- Identifying and Interpreting Mixtures -- Mixed Samples -- Analysis of Mixtures -- Major/Minor Mixtures -- Complex Mixtures -- Stutter -- Low-Template Mixtures -- Partial Profiles -- Degraded Samples -- References -- Chapter 15: DNA Mixture Interpretation -- Introduction -- Conventional Mixture Deconvolution -- Probabilistic Approaches -- Semi-Continuous Probabilistic Genotyping Approaches -- Fully Continuous Probabilistic Genotyping Approaches.

Black Boxes and Due Process: Transparency in Expert Software Systems -- References -- Chapter 16: Degraded Samples -- Introduction -- Characteristics of Degraded DNA Samples -- Objectively Identifying Potential Degradation/Inhibition -- Mini-STRs -- Y-STR Testing -- Low Copy Number Testing -- Addressing Inhibition -- The Coroner's Inquest into the Death of Jaidyn Leskie -- Conclusions -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 17: Ceiling Principle: DNA -- Introduction -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 18: Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeats -- Introduction -- Commonly Used Y-STR Markers -- Interpretation of a Y-STR Match -- Casework Applications -- References -- Chapter 19: Expert Systems in DNA Interpretation -- Introduction -- Challenges in DNA Interpretation -- The Likelihood Ratio Framework -- The Need for Expert Systems -- Currently Available Expert Systems -- Further Evaluation of the Evidence -- Comparative Studies -- Validation -- Remaining Challenges -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 20: Paternity Testing -- History of Markers Used for Paternity Testing -- Legal Aspects of Paternity Testing -- Practical Process -- Data Analysis -- Testing with or without a Sample of the Mother -- Mutation Events -- Gonosomal Marker and Paternity Testing -- Statistical Evaluation -- Kinship Cases -- Paternity Tests in Case of Immigration -- Quality Management in Paternity Testing Laboratories -- References -- Related Articles -- Chapter 21: Observer Effects -- Introduction -- Underlying Psychological Phenomenon -- Minimizing Observer Effects -- Empirical Studies of Observer Effects in Forensic Science -- Case Managers and Sequential Unmasking -- References -- Related Articles -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Part C: Applications -- Chapter 22: Databases -- Introduction.

A Brief Summary of National DNA Database Programs -- Operational Impact of Forensic DNA Databases -- Investigative and Intelligence Use of Forensic DNA Databases -- Familial Searching -- Cold Case Review and Postconviction Testing -- Socio-Legal Issues Associated with Forensic DNA Databases -- Summary -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Related Articles -- Chapter 23: Missing Persons and Paternity: DNA -- Introduction -- Measures of Inbreeding and Relatedness -- Frequencies of Sets of Alleles -- Parentage Testing -- Missing Person Calculations -- Discussion -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 24: Familial Searching -- Familial Searching: Definition -- Kinship Indices -- Strategies for Autosomal Familial Searches -- Further Statistical Issues -- Ethical Aspects -- End Notes -- References -- Chapter 25: Single Nucleotide Polymorphism -- Introduction -- Challenges in Forensic Genetics -- SNP Typing Methods -- SNPs as Investigative Leads -- References -- Related Articles -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 26: Mini-STRs -- Emergence of Mini-STRs as a Forensic Tool -- Challenges to Mini-STR Development -- Conclusions -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 27: Phenotype -- Introduction -- Indirect Method of Phenotype Inference -- Direct Method -- Acknowledgments -- End Notes -- References -- Chapter 28: Mitochondrial DNA: Profiling -- Introduction -- mtDNA Biology -- Nonforensic Uses -- Laboratory Practices -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 29: Geographical Identification by Viral Genotyping -- Introduction -- Relations between Parasitic Genotype and Geographic Area -- Detection of Parasitic Genotypes from Forensic Samples -- Estimation of Geographic Origin -- Potential New Approaches toward Geographical Identification Using Human Parasites -- References.

Further Reading -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 30: Microbial Forensics -- Introduction -- Detection and Identification Capabilities -- Interpretation of Microbial Forensic Results -- Conclusion -- References -- Further Reading -- Chapter 31: Wildlife Crime -- Introduction -- Species Identification -- DNA Profiling -- Limits of Detection -- Emerging Techniques -- Standards -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Related Articles -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Part D: Court -- Chapter 32: DNA Databases - The Significance of Unique Hits and the Database Controversy -- Introduction and the Controversy -- Posterior Odds -- How Do Courts Deal with the Issue? -- Some Final Remarks and Conclusion -- Appendix -- References -- Related Articles -- Chapter 33: DNA Databases and Evidentiary Issues -- Introduction -- Adventitious Matches -- Estimation of DNA Match Statistics after a Database Search -- Conclusion -- End Notes -- References -- Related Articles -- Chapter 34: Communicating Probabilistic Forensic Evidence in Court -- Characterizations of a Match -- How Do Jurors Think About and Use Match Statistics? -- How Should a Forensic Scientist Communicate Match Statistics? -- End Notes -- References -- Related Articles -- Chapter 35: Report Writing for Courts -- Introduction -- Legal Requirements of an Expert Report -- Acknowledgments -- End Notes -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 36: Discovery of Expert Findings -- Introduction -- Discovery in Common and Civil Law Systems -- Criminal and Civil Law Procedures -- Discovery in Criminal Matters -- Discovery in Civil Matters -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- End Notes -- References -- Related Articles in EFS Online -- Chapter 37: Ethical Rules of Expert Behavior -- Introduction -- Defining Ethics -- Fact Settings Presenting Potential Ethical Problems.

Sanctions against Experts for Unethical Conduct.