Archived | Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Analysts | DNA Report Contents

The DNA report is an official document supported by the case file. Every DNA report must meet the following requirements:

DNA Report Requirements
Requirement	Details
Include a case identifier	A unique identifying system used by the laboratory to distinguish cases and/or reports
Describe all the evidence examined	Many laboratories also note evidence that was received but not examined
Include a description of methodology and loci tested	For example: DNA was extracted, quantified, and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The following loci were examined: D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, and the gender marker Amelogenin.
Include results and/or conclusions	Results are generally a description of the profile, such as single donor or mixture of three individuals . Conclusions are generally inclusive, exclusive, or inconclusive statements based on the data.
Incorporate an interpretative statement (quantitative/qualitative)	For example, a statistical statement
Include the date issued	Based on laboratory's procedure for generating reports
Identify the disposition of all evidence	May have to decide whether sub-items should be considered as evidence
Be signed by the DNA analyst responsible for the content (or otherwise identify the analyst)	Signature and title or equivalent identification
Be maintained by the laboratory	All records must be maintained in accordance with laboratory policies and local/agency requirements
Be subject to technical and administrative review before issue	A technical reviewer evaluates the data and conclusions for suitability while the administrative reviewer evaluates completeness and typos.

Review the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy

View standards and audit documents on the CODIS website.

Reports provide information about evidence samples. The way a report deals with test results will vary depending on the nature of the sample.

All samples can be divided into four categories:

Known standards — samples that are known to come from a certain individual, such as blood, hair, buccal, bone, or teeth
Intimate samples — those obtained from a person's body; for example, vaginal swabs, breast swabs, thigh swabs
Personal items — those that immediately belong to the person, such as clothing worn during the crime
Crime scene samples

Sometimes a known standard can not be obtained from the individual, and a personal item can be used as a secondary or alternative sample. Examples of this type of evidence include hair brush, toothbrush, or razor and other evidence assumed to belong to the victim.

In intimate samples, the donor's profile is expected to be present. Additional profiles may be probative and can be compared to other known standards.

Crime scene samples can produce single source or mixed profiles and reporting will vary depending on complexity.

Back Forward

Additional Online Courses

See additional NIJ-sponsored training

Date Created: July 18, 2023