Do Low Template DNA Profiles Have Useful Quantitative Data?

• NCJ Number: 249332
• Journal: Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 16 Dated: May 2015 Pages: 13-16
• Author(s): Duncan Taylor; John Buckleton
• Date Published: May 2015
• Length: 4 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-DN-BX-K541
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Population Genetic Issues for Forensic DNA Profiles

Annotation

This project examined a set of low template mixed DNA profiles with known ground truths with software that used peak heights (STRmix V2.3) and an adapted version that did not use peak heights and mimicked models based on a drop-out probability 0005 and 0010 (known as semi-continuous or 'drop' models) (STRmix lite).

Abstract

In the vast majority of cases, the use of peak heights increased the LR when Hp was true. The effect was most notable at moderate template levels, but was also present at quite low template levels. There is no level at which height information is totally uninformative. Even at the lowest levels, the bulk of the data show some improvement by including peak height information. (Publisher abstract modified)